Oakland Raiders’ fans get another chance to party and tailgate at Raiderville, the official tailgate party featuring food, fun, Raiderettes cheerleaders and Raiders legends. The event is sponsored by Bud Light, which is the Raiders’ official beer. The first Raiderville event was held in 2009 and I think it’s a fun experience. I’ve been to several and its great to commune with other members of the Raider Nation.

The player tunnel of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Wikimedia Commons

The Raiderville event is a pregame tailgate party held in the parking lot of Oakland Coliseum, also known as O.co Stadium. The party is free and runs from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. before games. Two huge nine-foot LED screens show early NFL games, and the Bud Light bar also has a gang of flat screen TVs showing every game.

In addition to all the beer, Raiderville includes family fun, including the PIxar Family Zone, which has fun stuff for kids like arts and crafts, slides and trampolines, also a mini race track. Kids can also get their faces painted to really get them into the game.

Fans can dine on exclusive food, only available at the event, not during the game, like black bean chitpotle hamburgers, authentic carne asada tacos and kettle corn. It really is a fun experience and I’ve discovered the tailgating is half the fun of going to an NFL game.

As a Raider fan, I think family events like this are important to offer more than just the great football game itself and I would like to see an expanded party and Raider experience, as some other NFL teams offer. Why not have it open every weekend, even when the Raiders are away?

Amy Trask the Raiders’ Chief Executive, commented on the return of the party: “We are delighted to present Raiderville and we are thrilled to work with Pixar, which will once again provide its wonderful youth and family zone as part of the Raiderville experience.”

I also think the event shows the need for a new stadium complex to replace the outdated facility. The Raiders need more room to create a permanent event space, where they can expand the game-day activities for fans who can’t get into the game. I would also like to see a large Raiders museum showcasing the history of the team.

Although born and raised with Eagles fans in Philadelphia, Freddy Sherman has always been a citizen of Raider Nation at heart. Since his dad got him a signed George Blanda football as child, to meeting Lyle Alzado in the 1980s, he hasn’t looked back. Follow him on twitter @thefredsherman

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Top 5 Greatest Oakland Raiders Hall of Famers

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

The Oakland Raiders have had many great players inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame over the team’s 50+ year history, but who are the greatest according to their fans? After taking an unscientific poll across the Raider Nation, here are the top five.

Oakland Raiders fan.
Broken Sphere/Wikimedia Commons

Al Davis

Perhaps the reason that Al Davis was the number one choice for the greatest Hall of Fame Raider, is his passing. I think his death caused many people, fans of the Silver and Black and NFL fans across the nation, to reflect on how much the Raiders’ iconic late owner truly did for the game.

Always a rebel, there were many who loved to hate the man, but once he had passed they began to wonder why. Davis saw his team win three Super Bowls. The same team he purchased nearly a half century ago when they were playing on a high school field. The man did so much for the sport, and for the Raiders, it would take a lengthy book to list it all. It’s no wonder that he was mentioned the most often as the greatest to ever wear the Silver and Black.

Howie Long

Defensive end, Howie Long, was mentioned almost as often as Davis. He played for the team during his entire 13 seasons in the NFL, from 1981 to 1993. Long was selected to eight Pro Bowls, helped the Raiders win Super Bowl XVIII, in addition to being credited with 84 sacks in his career. He had an additional 7.5 recorded before sacks became an official stat.

Not only is Long’s NFL record is outstanding, but he’s also a really likable guy.

John Madden

John Madden came in at a very close third to Howie, and a man close to the hearts of many. The great Raiders’ coach helped the Raiders win the first Super Bowl, and under his leadership the team never had a losing record. At the end of his NFL career, Madden had 112 wins, 39 losses and seven ties. My only wish is that we could duplicate him. He is definitely one of my all-time favorites.

Marcus Allen

Marcus Allen is one of the best running backs in NFL history, and also another one of my all-time favorite Raiders. He played for the Raiders for over a decade, from 1982-1992, and was the first player in history to reach over 10,000 rushing yards. He had a total of 12,243 by the time he retired.

Fred Biletnikoff

Fred Biletnikoff was the Raiders’ wide receiver for his entire 14 year NFL career between 1965-1978. He started with the team the year I was born, and for most of my childhood he was a part of the Silver and Black. They wouldn’t have been the same without him. By the time he retired, Biletnikoff had caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and was credited with 76 touchdowns.

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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They were great. They were gross.

They hit hard. They also hit late, cheap, sometimes without helmets, and often without conscience.

As always, I couldn’t stop watching them. But, as always, I could barely stomach what I was seeing.

The Oakland Raiders played perhaps the toughest football of the NFL’s first week Monday, overpowering the Denver Broncos with three forced turnovers and five sacks while rushing for 152 more yards in a 23-20 victory.

They also played absolutely the dumbest, most thuggish football of the first week with 15 penalties for 131 yards, more penalties than were assessed the New Patriots, Green Bay Packers and New York Jets combined.

The Jets, incidentally, had zero penalties while mounting a bruising comeback against the Dallas Cowboys, proving it is possible to use both your muscles and your brains, sometimes even at the same time.

The Raiders never seem to understand this, which once again makes them the biggest waste of football space imaginable, a bunch of talented and probably decent guys who won’t become champions because they are too focused on acting like street punks.

On display Monday was the truth rarely understood by fans with lives draped in silver and black. The color that owns their organization is actually yellow. What they love most about their Raiders is precisely what dooms them. Their rogue rebelliousness may win hearts, but it loses games.

For all their bluster, the Raiders haven’t won a Super Bowl in 28 years. In the eight seasons since their last Super Bowl appearance, after the 2002 season, they have finished an average of 29th out of the 32 teams in number of penalties. How many times have they had winning records during those years? Zero. What has been their record during that time? Would you believe 38-91?

Earlier this summer I wrote about fearing the Raiders might return to Los Angeles upon the completion of Farmers Field. After Monday night I wonder if the Raiders belong anywhere.

They were seemingly scuffling with the Broncos from the last tones of the national anthem. And when they weren’t shoving or slapping or tearing off their helmets and prancing around like angry guys on a darkened street corner, they were violating even the most simple of football rules. On one drive, tackle Stephon Heyer jumped offside on consecutive plays.

The Raiders, whose motto is still “Commitment to Excellence,” first need a Commitment to Discipline, which will never happen as long as they also have a Commitment to Al. This is all about the ravings of aging owner Al Davis, the sports world’s last pirate, an angry man whose swashbuckling attitude would be cute if it wasn’t hurting his team and ruining his legacy.

Did you watch the Raider sidelines Monday? The coaches and staff still dress in those silly scowls, everyone trying to imitate Al with an attitude that not only spreads to the players, but infects them.

You remember that last Raider Super Bowl played in San Diego, right? Barret Robbins, the Raiders all-pro center, disappeared two days before kickoff to reportedly go on a drunken binge in Tijuana. He never showed up, and his team never recovered, losing 48-21 to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team coached by a exiled former Raider coach named Jon Gruden.

These sorts of collapses will not end until Davis finally retires and releases control of the team, allowing his great athletes to feel comfortable being smart and controlled athletes.

Just when, baby?

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– Bill Plaschke

Photo: Oakland Raiders tackle Khalif Barnes and Denver Broncos defensive end Jason Hunter scuffle during the first quarter of Monday night’s game. Credit: Ron Chenoy / US Presswire

Read More: Antonio Cromartie (DB – NYJ), Nnamdi Asomugha (CB – OAK), Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders continue to be mentioned in connection with quality free agent veterans. While Davis and Jackson are confident about the team, it is clear that Davis sees an opportunity in a weak AFC West this season and is attempting to upgrade the Raiders enough to get them over the hump and into the playoffs.

With star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha likely to sign with another team soon, the Raiders have a glaring need at the cornerback position and targetting a guy like Antonio Cromartie would be a huge lift for the secondary.

Cromartie is another man coverage specialist, but is more of a ball hawk than any cornerback the Raider have had since Charles Woodson. Though this can be a blessing in disguise. While Cromartie tends to have more big plays such as interceptions or pass defenses, he also can give up big plays with his aggressive style of play.

While he will never lock down an entire side of the field like Asomugha did, he has big play potential and loves being manned up against big time wide receivers. Cromartie would be a good fit in Oakland and would go a long way towards helping the Raiders make the playoffs.

Keep checking back for more updates as the insanity of the post lockout world continues. And for a more in depth look at the Raiders, be sure to check out Silver and Black Pride.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Hue Jackson revitalized the dormant Oakland Raiders offense in one season as coordinator.

That performance earned him a promotion to head coach and the tall task of getting the Raiders back into the postseason after an eight-year drought.

Jackson will be introduced formally at a news conference Tuesday, two weeks after the Raiders announced they were not picking up an option to keep coach Tom Cable.

“The fire in Hue will set a flame that will burn for a long time in the hearts and minds of the Raider football team and the Raider Nation,” owner Al Davis said in a statement.

Jackson was widely considered the leading contender to get his first head coaching job at any level as soon as the Raiders announced Cable’s departure.

Jackson was hired a year ago to take over the play-calling duties from Cable and oversaw a transformation on offense. Oakland scored more than twice as many points in 2010 as it did in ’09 — and the Raiders won eight games to avoid an eighth straight losing season.

“I’m excited about Hue getting the head coaching job,” tight end Zach Miller said in a phone interview. “I really like the direction our offense is going and how much we improved. This was the best offensive year we’ve had since I’ve been a Raider. I’m excited to have the continuity.”

Jackson was popular with players on both sides of the ball in Oakland, with the defenders enjoying the competitive nature he brought to practice each day. Linebacker Quentin Groves wrote on his Twitter feed, “Congrats to Hue Jackson … This is gonna be a great ride!!!”

Led by quarterback Jason Campbell, a breakout season from running back Darren McFadden and big plays from rookie receiver Jacoby Ford, the Raiders finished sixth in the league in scoring with 410 points.

That was the sixth-most points in franchise history and a huge improvement from 2009, when former first overall pick JaMarcus Russell spent most of the time at quarterback.

“That’s what I came here for,” Jackson said late in the season. “It would be different if there wasn’t and then I’d be really upset, but that’s why I’m here. That’s why I came to the Raiders, was to improve, but we didn’t improve fast enough.

“We expect to be challenging for the playoffs, challenging for our division year in and year out and we’re not getting that done, so to me, that’s a disappointment. There’s either first place or there’s last place and there’s no in between.”

That was a far different tone than the one expressed by Cable, who notably pronounced “you can’t call us losers anymore” after the Raiders capped an 8-8 season by beating AFC West champ Kansas City in the season finale.

The Raiders won all six division games, but only two of their other 10 games. They became the first team since the 1970 merger to have a perfect record in the division and not make the postseason.

Jackson will try to get the Raiders back to the playoffs for the first time since winning the 2002 AFC championship. Davis has let go of five coaches since then.

The latest was Cable, whose players credited him with helping make the team a contender in the AFC West this season after a run of seven straight years of at least 11 losses.

But Cable’s relationship with Davis was not as good and the owner decided not to exercise a two-year, $5 million option to keep him. Cable filed a grievance against the Raiders to recover $120,000 in fines Davis withheld from Cable’s paychecks in his last season. The two did not always see eye to eye on who should start at quarterback and other issues.

Jackson had a strong relationship with Campbell, the quarterback Davis acquired last offseason to lead the franchise. Campbell spoke glowingly of his relationship with Jackson.

Despite being benched twice, Campbell had a solid debut season in Oakland, completing 59 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a passer rating of 84.5

Now he gets rare the opportunity to play in the same offense for a second straight season. He had four different offenses in four years at Auburn, then four more in six years in the NFL with Washington and Oakland.

Jackson has extensive experience as an assistant in the NFL, working in Washington, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Baltimore for nearly a decade before joining the Raiders. He has coached quarterbacks, receivers and running backs, along with three stints as an offensive coordinator. He helped develop quarterback Joe Flacco in Baltimore and groomed Chad Ochocinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh in Cincinnati. Ochocinco congratulated Jackson in a Twitter message and said, “Best receiver coach I’ve ever had.”

The Raiders are counting on him being just as successful in his first stint as a head coach.

Of the seven head coaches hired this offseason, John Fox in Denver is the only one with previous experience as an NFL head coach.

“He has a strong personality that will carry right over to the whole team,” Miller said. “Guys are familiar with him. They know what they’re getting with him. He’s not a new face coming in as a head coach. Having someone who has been here will make the transition that much easier.”

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis rarely talks to the media anymore.

So when Davis got the chance at a news conference announcing the hiring of Hue Jackson as his new head coach on Tuesday, he took the opportunity to address a number of issues.

Davis spent a larger portion of a more than 100-minute news conference explaining why he fined former coach Tom Cable $120,000 in the final year of his contract. Davis says he withheld the money from Cable’s last six checks because of the strain on the organization from lawsuits involving Cable assaulting a former assistant coach and a former girlfriend.

The suit by former assistant Randy Hanson was kicked out of court and sent to an NFL arbitrator. Davis said that Cable recently settled the suit with former girlfriend Marie Lutz.

“That lawsuit created a tremendous amount of work, stress and turmoil,” Davis said. “Tom had been told earlier in his career that he could have been fired without pay for the wrath he brought on the Raider organization.”

Cable’s agent did not immediately reply to an e-mail seeking comment. Cable has filed a grievance with the NFL to recover the lost wages.

Davis said Cable lied to him when asked if there were any issues in his past that could affect the Raiders. He was also angered by one aspect of Lutz’s lawsuit that said Cable brought her on road trips with the team, saying it goes against his way of living and the Raider way.

He said that even though Cable was accused of breaking Hanson’s jaw in August 2009, accused of assaulting three women later that year and sued by Lutz last June, he kept him on to coach the 2010 season.

“We had been in turmoil for about a year or two after the initial stuff came out and so I just didn’t think we needed another uproar at this particular time,” Davis said. “Two roads. You can choose Road A or Road B, either way.”

Cable has acknowledged striking his first wife, Sandy Cable, with an open hand. He said the altercation happened more than 20 years ago and was the only time he’s ever touched a woman inappropriately. Because that happened before Cable joined the NFL, he was not punished by the league.

Davis said he still does not know what happened in the hotel room at training camp when Hanson had his jaw broken. Hanson accused Cable of throwing him against the wall, causing the left side of Hanson’s face to strike a table, then hit Hanson while he was on the floor. Hanson was treated for a fractured jaw and broken teeth. Hanson said Cable was restrained by assistants John Marshall, Willie Brown and Lionel Washington.

Davis said he didn’t want to get into the middle of the dispute.

“Can’t get the story,” Davis said. “You know, it’s like Gitmo. Trying to find out, did they waterboard those guys or not? No, really. It’s hard to believe. How many guys went in? Four guys went into the room with a guy, the guys comes out with a broken jaw and no one saw it.”

On other topics in Davis’ first news conference in more than 16 months:

• Davis took some blame for the Raiders struggles the past eight years when they have failed to post a winning record. “I have made mistakes. Yes, there’s no question about it, and you got to have great players. But you also, sometimes, have the players and don’t get it done. So, you’re saying, should I take some of the blame? I certainly do.”

• He said the team was hurt by the failures of former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell, who was cut last May after being paid more than $39 million for three ineffective seasons. “We had a big investment in this guy. Basically, he’s a good person but he’s got personal problems, and I decided that it was time that we were not going to fight it anymore.”

• He said he was not pleased with Cable’s proclamation that “we’re not losers anymore” after the Raiders won the season finale to finish 8-8. “If that’s not being a loser in our world, I don’t know what it is, come in .500. That’s never been my goal.”

• He explained why he still believes in receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, who caught just 37 passes in his first two seasons. “Explosion. He can catch, he’s getting better and he’s a good guy. He’s going to be good.”

• He said he wouldn’t know whether Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha would be brought back after the final year of his contract voided, but hinted the Raiders would have cut him instead of picking up an option that was set to be worth at least $16.8 million. “Can that $17 million bring you two or three quality players to help you win?”

• He also said he was not surprised he won a grievance hearing against former coach Lane Kiffin, who was seeking more than $300,000, after being fired for cause in September 2008. “I beat him because he lied. He’s a liar. He lied to you guys.”

• He said the team needed a new stadium — preferably at the same site as the current home — and was hurt by low revenues. The Raiders sold out only one game this season but Davis hopes a new labor deal will help Oakland’s cause. “We don’t have the resources that other teams have, but, but, I think we’ve shown that we can compete. It’s a question now of winning, and doing better than them. But it depends on what happens in the collective bargaining agreement.”

• He would not give an opinion on a proposed 18-game season that commissioner Roger Goodell wants in the new collective bargaining agreement, but said the talk of increased injuries was overplayed. “There’s no question that the ownership wants it, and Roger seems to have a way of getting things done if he wants it. So I’d rather not say what I think but I think the business of injury is overplayed.”

• He said he wasn’t worried about recent criticisms from Pro Bowl punter Shane Lechler, who was upset the team let Cable go, pointing out that Lechler talked about leaving as a free agent after the 2008 season. “Shane said publicly he wasn’t coming back, he didn’t like it here. A month later, he was coming back because I gave him the highest paid contract of a specialist in pro football. No, these things happen, that’s a part of our lives, I read about marriage breakups, all those things.”

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Hue Jackson revitalized the dormant Oakland Raiders offense in one season as coordinator.

That performance earned him a promotion to head coach and the tall task of getting the Raiders back into the postseason after an eight-year drought.

Jackson will be formally introduced at a news conference today, two weeks after the Raiders announced they were not picking up an option to keep coach Tom Cable.

‘The fire in Hue will set a flame that will burn for a long time in the hearts and minds of the Raider football team and the Raider Nation,” owner Al Davis said in a statement.

Jackson was widely considered the leading contender to get his first head coaching job at any level as soon as the Raiders announced Cable’s departure.

Jackson was hired a year ago to take over the play-calling duties from Cable and oversaw a transformation on offense. Oakland scored more than twice as many points in 2010 as it did in ’09 — and the Raiders won eight games to avoid an eighth straight losing season.

‘I’m excited about Hue getting the head coaching job,” tight end Zach Miller said in a phone interview. ‘I really like the direction our offense is going and how much we improved. This was the best offensive year we’ve had since I’ve been a Raider. I’m excited to have the continuity.”

Jackson was popular with players on both sides of the ball in Oakland, with the defenders enjoying the competitive nature he brought to practice each day. Linebacker Quentin Groves wrote on his Twitter feed, ‘Congrats to Hue Jackson … This is gonna be a great ride!!!”

Led by quarterback Jason Campbell, a breakout season from running back Darren McFadden and big plays from rookie receiver Jacoby Ford, the Raiders finished sixth in the league in scoring with 410 points.

That was the sixth-most points in franchise history and a huge improvement from 2009, when former first overall pick JaMarcus Russell spent most of the time at quarterback.

‘That’s what I came here for,” Jackson said late in the season. ‘It would be different if there wasn’t and then I’d be really upset but that’s why I’m here. That’s why I came to the Raiders, was to improve, but we didn’t improve fast enough.

‘We expect to be challenging for the playoffs, challenging for our division year in and year out and we’re not getting that done, so to me, that’s a disappointment. There’s either first place or there’s last place and there’s no inbetween.”

That was a far different tone than the one expressed by Cable, who notably pronounced ‘you can’t call us losers anymore” after the Raiders capped an 8-8 season by beating AFC West champ Kansas City in the season finale.

The Raiders won all six division games, but only two of their other 10 games. They became the first team since the 1970 merger to have a perfect record in the division and not make the postseason.

Jackson will try to get the Raiders back to the playoffs for the first time since winning the 2002 AFC championship. Davis has let go of five coaches since then.

The latest was Cable, whose players credited him with helping make the team a contender in the AFC West this season after a run of seven straight years of at least 11 losses.

But Cable’s relationship with Davis was not as good and the owner decided not to exercise a two-year, $5 million option to keep him. Cable filed a grievance against the Raiders to recover $120,000 in fines that Davis withheld from Cable’s paychecks in his last season. The two did not always see eye to eye on who should start at quarterback and other issues.

Jackson had a strong relationship with Campbell, the quarterback Davis acquired last offseason to lead the franchise. Campbell spoke glowingly of his relationship with Jackson.

Despite being benched twice, Campbell had a solid debut season in Oakland, completing 59 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a passer rating of 84.5.

Now he gets rare the opportunity to play in the same offense for a second straight season. He had four different offenses in four years at Auburn, then four more in six years in the NFL with Washington and Oakland.

Jackson has extensive experience as an assistant in the NFL, working in Washington, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Baltimore for nearly a decade before joining the Raiders. He has coached quarterbacks, receivers and running backs, along with three stints as an offensive coordinator.

He helped develop quarterback Joe Flacco in Baltimore and groomed Chad Ochocinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh in Cincinnati. Ochocinco congratulated Jackson in a Twitter message and said, ‘Best receiver coach I’ve ever had.”

The Raiders are counting on him being just as successful in his first stint as a head coach.

Of the seven head coaches hired this offseason, John Fox in Denver is the only one with previous experience as an NFL head coach.

‘He has a strong personality that will carry right over to the whole team,” Miller said. ‘Guys are familiar with him. They know what they’re getting with him. He’s not a new face coming in as a head coach. Having someone who has been here will make the transition that much easier.”

OAKLAND (Reuters) – The Oakland Raiders have promoted Hue Jackson to head coach from his previous position as offensive coordinator, the team announced Monday.

Jackson, who became the team’s sixth head coach since 2003, replaces Tom Cable after Oakland declined to pick up the option on his contract earlier this month. It is Jackson’s first head coaching position.

“The fire in Hue will set a flame that will burn for a long time in the hearts and minds of the Raider football team and the Raider nation,” Raiders owner Al Davis told the team’s website (raiders.com).

Jackson took over as Oakland’s offensive coordinator prior to last season and made a major impact. The Raiders doubled their scoring output from the previous season and finished sixth in the NFL in points per game.

Oakland are coming off an 8-8 season, the franchise’s best since 2002.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles)

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders promoted offensive coordinator Hue Jackson to head coach on Monday after he helped the team more than double its scoring output in his first year with the franchise.

Jackson will be formally introduced at a news conference Tuesday — two weeks after the Raiders announced they were not picking up an option to keep coach Tom Cable.

“The fire in Hue will set a flame that will burn for a long time in the hearts and minds of the Raider football team and the Raider Nation,” owner Al Davis said in a statement.

Jackson was widely considered the leading contender to get the job as soon as the Raiders announced Cable’s departure. This is Jackson’s first head coaching job at any level.

Jackson was hired a year ago to take over the play-calling duties from Cable and oversaw a transformation on offense. Oakland scored more than twice as many points in 2010 as it did in ’09 — and the Raiders won eight games and avoid an eighth straight losing season.

Led by quarterback Jason Campbell, a breakout season from running back Darren McFadden and big plays from rookie receiver Jacoby Ford, the Raiders finished sixth in the league in scoring with 410 points.

That was the sixth-most points scored in a season in franchise history and more than doubled the 2009 scoring output when former first overall pick JaMarcus Russell spent much of the time at quarterback.

“That’s what I came here for,” Jackson said late in the season. “It would be different if there wasn’t and then I’d be really upset but that’s why I’m here. That’s why I came to the Raiders, was to improve, but we didn’t improve fast enough. … We expect to be challenging for the playoffs, challenging for our division year in and year out and we’re not getting that done, so to me, that’s a disappointment. There’s either first place or there’s last place and there’s no in between.”

That was a far different tone than the one expressed by Cable, who notably pronounced “you can’t call us losers anymore,” after the Raiders capped an 8-8 season by beating AFC West champion Kansas City in the season finale.

The Raiders won all six division games, but only two of their other 10 games. They became the first team since the 1970 merger to have a perfect record in the division and not make the postseason.

Jackson will try to get the Raiders back to the playoffs for the first time since winning the 2002 AFC championship. Davis has let go of five coaches since then.

The latest was Cable, who had wide support from his players, who credited him with helping make the team a contender in the AFC West this season after a run of seven straight years of at least 11 losses.

But Cable’s relationship with Davis was not as good and the owner decided not to exercise a two-year, $5 million option to keep him as head coach. Cable filed a grievance against the Raiders to recover $120,000 in fines that Davis withheld from Cable’s paychecks in his last season. The two did not always see eye to eye on who should start at quarterback and other issues.

Jackson had a strong relationship with Jason Campbell, the quarterback Davis acquired last offseason to lead the franchise. Campbell spoke glowingly of his relationship with Jackson. Despite being benched twice, Campbell had a solid debut season in Oakland, completing 59 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a passer rating of 84.5

Now he gets rare the opportunity to play in the same offense for a second straight season. He had four different offenses in four years at Auburn, then four more in six years in the NFL with Washington and Oakland.

Jackson has extensive experience as an assistant in the NFL, working in Washington, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Baltimore for nearly a decade before joining the Raiders. He has coached quarterbacks, receivers and running backs, along with serving three stints as an offensive coordinator.

His most successful was with the Raiders, who were one of the league’s worst offenses when he arrived.

“We were pretty bad last year on offense. To have a turnaround like that is a great credit to our players and coach Jackson,” tight end Zach Miller said late in the season. “We showed how strong we can be, how many points we can put up and how explosive we can be. We didn’t do it consistently enough, but I thought when we did we had the capability of putting a lot of points on the board.”

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

The Oakland Raiders lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, making their playoff hopes very slim.

The Raiders are now 6-7 and need to win their final three games and get some help from the Chargers and Chiefs to win the AFC West.

While it is still possible, it doesn’t seem very likely.

Although, Raider Nation should be proud of this Raiders team.

A wise man (Terrell White) told me before the season, that this would be the Raiders’ “Jump Off” year: The year where they become more competitive and set themselves up for success next season.

Oakland has accomplished many things this season that fans haven’t seen in quite sometime.

Streaks have ended and some have begun, but more importantly the Raiders have mattered towards the end of the season for the first time since 2002.

Teams that go seven years straight of losing 11 games or more don’t just magically walk into the playoffs to end that streak. 

The Raiders as a franchise are heading in the right direction. This team is loaded with plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. 

There are key players on the roster who weren’t even alive when the Raiders won their last Super Bowl. 

Jason Campbell looks as if he is growing into his role as a starter, and Darren McFadden looks like a superstar. Michael Bush, Louis Murphy and Zach Miller are also solid contributors to the offense.

The defense gives up big plays, but will get better, as they have a lot of youth in Rolando McClain, Matt Shaughnessy, Lamarr Houston, Tyvon Branch, Mike Mitchell and company.

The Raiders’ defense is also filled with savvy veterans, and their special teams are solid in the kicking and return game, with Sebastian Janikowski, Shane Lechler and Jacoby Ford providing a solid unit.

This is a team that doesn’t need to change much in the off season. They look promising on all three phases of the game.

The Raiders must keep the same offensive system.

Their defense needs tweaking, but they are getting better. Oakland’s pass rush has been solid, but they still struggle against the run.

One change that needs to be made in the off season is Tom Cable being let go, and Hue Jackson given the keys to the team.

This is the last year of Cable’s contract, and nothing has really been said about whether he’ll come back or not.

The Raiders wouldn’t have many teams interested in taking Cable as their next head coach, so there isn’t a lot of pressure on them to get something done right away.

Meanwhile, Jackson’s name is a hot one when it comes to head coaching jobs. He has already been named as a Denver Broncos candidate.

Some believe Jackson came to Oakland because he knew there was a chance for him to take over as the head coach.

Making him head coach would be a great move. He has a great influence over the players and it wouldn’t be a drastic change for the team.

Cable may have changed the attitude of the Raiders, but hasn’t changed too much after that.

The QB musical chairs, the lack of discipline, and the offensive line play has hurt the Raiders this year, which all goes back to the head coach.

Cable would have to make the playoffs and win a game or two to keep his job—and even that may not save him.

It’s been said many times that Al Davis hasn’t been to happy with the handling of the quarterback situation. 

It doesn’t look as if the Raiders will be in the playoffs this season, but this franchise looks like it’s ready to start making playoff appearances soon.

The Oakland Raiders are heading in the right direction and the Raider Nation has plenty to be excited about.

For more Raiders news and Notes follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Elias_Trejo

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<span>Flag This Article</span></div> </p> <p><img src="" /></p> <p>That’s all the news for today.</p> </div> <p class="posted">Posted in <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/1/" title="View all posts in 1" rel="category tag">1</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/bruce-gradkowski/" title="View all posts in Bruce Gradkowski" rel="category tag">Bruce Gradkowski</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/darren-mcfadden/" title="View all posts in Darren McFadden" rel="category tag">Darren McFadden</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/jacksonville-jaguars/" title="View all posts in Jacksonville Jaguars" rel="category tag">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/jacoby-ford/" title="View all posts in Jacoby Ford" rel="category tag">Jacoby Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/jason-campbell/" title="View all posts in Jason Campbell" rel="category tag">Jason Campbell</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/louis-murphy/" title="View all posts in Louis Murphy" rel="category tag">Louis Murphy</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/matt-shaughnessy/" title="View all posts in Matt Shaughnessy" rel="category tag">Matt Shaughnessy</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/mike-mitchell/" title="View all posts in Mike Mitchell" rel="category tag">Mike Mitchell</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/oakland-raiders/" title="View all posts in Oakland Raiders" rel="category tag">Oakland Raiders</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/raiders-news/" title="View all posts in raiders-news" rel="category tag">raiders-news</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/rolando-mcclain/" title="View all posts in Rolando McClain" rel="category tag">Rolando McClain</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/sebastian-janikowski/" title="View all posts in Sebastian Janikowski" rel="category tag">Sebastian Janikowski</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/shane-lechler/" title="View all posts in Shane Lechler" rel="category tag">Shane Lechler</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/tyvon-branch/" title="View all posts in Tyvon Branch" rel="category tag">Tyvon Branch</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/zach-miller/" title="View all posts in Zach Miller" rel="category tag">Zach Miller</a><span class="comments"><span>Comments Off</span></span></p> </div><!--/post--> <div class="post-alt blog" id="post-1224"> <a title="Oakland Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: A Plan of Attack For Silver and Black" href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/oakland-raiders-vs-jacksonville-jaguars-a-plan-of-attack-for-silver-and-black/" ><img src="http://www.raidersground.com/wp-content/themes/gazette2/thumb.php?src=<img src="http://www.raidersground.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/f036f22adfaiders.png.png" />&w=100&h=100&zc=1&q=90" alt="Oakland Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: A Plan of Attack For Silver and Black" class="woo-image th" width="100" height="100" /></a> <h2><a title="Permanent Link to Oakland Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: A Plan of Attack For Silver and Black" href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/oakland-raiders-vs-jacksonville-jaguars-a-plan-of-attack-for-silver-and-black/" rel="bookmark">Oakland Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: A Plan of Attack For Silver and Black</a></h2> <p class="post_date">Posted on 10 December 2010. <span class="singletags">Tags: <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/chargers/" rel="tag">chargers</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/chaz-schilens/" rel="tag">Chaz Schilens</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/culture/" rel="tag">culture</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/darren-mcfadden/" rel="tag">Darren McFadden</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/games/" rel="tag">games</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/jacksonville-jaguars/" rel="tag">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/match/" rel="tag">match</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/nfl/" rel="tag">nfl</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/oakland-raiders/" rel="tag">Oakland Raiders</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/raider/" rel="tag">raider</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/raiders/" rel="tag">raiders</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/reading/" rel="tag">reading</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/seattle-seahawks/" rel="tag">Seattle Seahawks</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/security/" rel="tag">security</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/shane-lechler/" rel="tag">Shane Lechler</a></span></p> <div class="entry"> <div readability="53.6839330968"> <div> <div> <div> <div readability="11.5"> <div readability="18"> <p>The Oakland Raiders are now in Jacksonville set to play the Jaguars with the playoffs on the line. The Raiders are coming off of a major league upset of the San Diego Chargers but are only 2-2 in their last four games.</p> <p>The Chargers are 3-1 in that same stretch with two of those wins against team that beat the Raiders this year. Add to that the fact that the Jaguars have won their last four games against the Raiders.</p> <p>But styles and match ups make football games so there is plenty of reason to believe that the Raiders can win this game. </p> <p>Turn the page to see why.</p> </div> </div> <div readability="9"> <div readability="13.5"> <p><h2>Tom Cable’s Schedule</h2> </p> <div readability="22"> <p>I have been real hard on Tom Cable for his choices at quarterback and on the offensive line this year. I’ve even gone as far as writing an article on wanting Jon “Chucky” Gruden back in Raider Nation.</p> <p>He’s not an Xs and Os type of guy but Raider owner Al Davis has his coordinators in place for that.</p> <p>So what is Cable for?</p> <p>He is a good motivator and has helped change the culture in Raider Nation but that isn’t enough. But the move he just recently made going to Jacksonville has completely won me over.</p> <p>What did he do?</p> <p>Cable has the Raiders in meetings at 6:30 in the morning and on the field at 9:45 am. The move will get the Raiders ready for the 10:00 am west coast game time they have on the east coast.</p> <p>West coast teams are beaten up regularly when they travel east because the bodies of west coast football players just aren’t ready to play football at that time. </p> <p>This brilliant move by Cable will help the Raider’s body clocks adjust.</p> </div> </div> <div readability="14"> <p><h2>Improved Raider Run Defense Vs Jaguar Run Offense</h2> </p> <div readability="19"> <p>This is not the same run defense the Jacksonville Jaguars have gauged the last four time they’ve played. The Raider run defense is only ranked No. 23 now but that’s eight spots up from No. 31 earlier this year.</p> <p>The Raiders only gave up 21 yards on the ground last week against the Chargers. This isn’t to say that the Raider run defense is dominant but definitely isn’t the same one the Jaguars have dominated the last few times they’ve played.</p> <p>But the Jaguars do have the leagues second leading rusher in Maurice “Pocket Hurceles” Jones-Drew. However, the Jaguars don’t exactly play in a division full of run stuffers</p> <p>This match up will decide the winner of the game. </p> </div> </div> <div readability="13.5"> <p><h2>Raider Pass Defense Vs Jaguar Pass Offense</h2> </p> <div readability="18"> <p>The Raiders have fallen to No. 9 in pass defense after a couple of games without Nnamdi Asomugha. But with Asomugha back in the fold, the Raider pass defense looks to be back on top of their game.</p> <p>Add to that the fact that the Raiders are No. 1 in the NFL in sacks so far this season. Another ace in the hole is Michael Huff’s ability to play corner when Raider corners opposite Asomugha can’t handle it.</p> <p>Jaguar quarterback David Gerrard has a 92.3 quarterback rating but pretty much manages the game behind “Pocket Hurcules.” I can’t see him putting the Jaguars on his back and beating the Raiders.</p> <p>The Jaguars don’t exactly have a top notch receiver for Gerrard to do such a thing. </p> </div> </div> <div readability="16"> <p><h2>Raider Run Offense Vs Jaguar Run Defense</h2> </p> <div readability="23"> <p>After taking a couple of weeks off, the Raider running game is back in full stride. Last Sunday, the Raiders had over 250 yards rushing in San Diego against the Chargers.</p> <p>Darren McFadden and Michael Bush were just inches away from rushing for 100 yards a piece. And that was against a Charger team that ranks No. 5 against the run even after the Raider a game like that.</p> <p>The Jaguars rank No.17 against the run and aren’t nowhere near as physical as the teams that did stop the Raider run. The Raider run defense depends a whole lot how the Raider run offense does.</p> <p>When the Raiders rush for 150 yards or more, they give up an average of only 55 yards per game. When they run for less than 150 yards, the Raiders give up 159 yards per game.</p> <p>I guess it’s safe to say that McFadden and Bush have to stop Jones-Drew.</p> </div> </div> <div readability="16"> <p><h2>Raider Pass Offense Vs Jaguar Pass Defense</h2> </p> <div readability="23"> <p>The Seattle Seahawks at No. 30 are the worst pass defense Campbell has faced this year. In that game, Campbell threw for 310 yards, two touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 120.9.</p> <p>The Jaguar pass defense isn’t much better than that of the Seahawks at No. 27. I don’t know how many times the Raiders will throw but I expect Cambpell to be efficient as he was against the Chargers, Broncos, Seahawks, and in the second half of the Chiefs.</p> <p>The common denamenator amongst these team is neither one stopped the Raider running game. Another factor that favors the Raiders is the return of Chaz Schilens with more practice time with Campbell.</p> <p>How can your passing attack not improve with the return of your best receiver. </p> </div> </div> <div readability="11.5"> <p><h2>Special Teams</h2> </p> <div readability="18"> <p>In the kick return department, Deji Kareem is better by a half yard with his average. (24.6-24.1) But I would still take Raider returner Jacoby Ford as he has run two kicks back for touchdowns vs none for Kareem.</p> <p>Ford is just more likely to make a play.</p> <p>Ford also has one more return over 40 yards than Kareem with three while he has one less fumble. Neither team is very good at returning punts this year so I’m really not going to go there.</p> <p>The Raiders are better with field goal kicking and punting with Sebastien Janikowski and Shane Lechler.</p> </div> </div> <div readability="13"> <p><h2>Game Plan: Offense</h2> </p> <div readability="21"> <p>The Jaguars aren’t the most physical defense in the league so it’s time to run again.</p> <p>That’s what they do.</p> <p>They really shouldn’t get away from the same game plan I wrote last week that they followed to perfection. They should still take their shots doen the field with Ford, Schilens, and Louis Murphy then look to hit McFadden and Reece underneath.</p> <p>I hope Miller is healthy so he can get his targets as well.</p> <p>I also want to see a deep ball to Reece as the mismatch is just to good to resist.</p> <p>Even though the Jaguars don’t sack the quarterback much, the Raiders should still get Campbell out of the pocket with some designed roll outs just to keep him moving from time to time.</p> <p> </p> </div> </div> <div readability="11"> <p><h2>Game Plan: Defense</h2> </p> <div readability="17"> <p>Oakland Raider defensive coordinator John Marshall should keep dialing up blitzes as he has lately. Last week, The Raiders blitzed early then started to get there with four as the Charger’s spirit was already broken.</p> <p>It’s good to have Chris Johnson back but this week’s game plan should have Huff at corner. I still remember when Johnson first came back from his hamstring injury and was torched over and over.</p> <p>Johnson should be walked back into it as a nickel or dime corner.</p> <p>Huff is a better corner when Johnson is healthy anyway. </p> </div> </div> <div readability="14"> <p><h2>Overview</h2> </p> <div readability="23"> <p>I honestly believe that Sunday’s match up between the Jaguars and the Raiders favors the Raiders. The formula to beat the Raiders is to be big and physical up front on defense.</p> <p>That way, you can stuff the run and force third and very long.</p> <p>Then you pin your ears back and rush the passer.</p> <p>The Jaguars just aren’t that type of team.</p> <p>But they are physical on offense so that’s where they are a threat.</p> <p>However, the Jaguars don’t have the defense to be able to just run the whole time. The Raiders have too many match ups that favor them on offense and I look for Jackson to look for them all. </p> <p>Don’t be surprised if the Raiders win big on Sunday.</p> </div> </div> </div> <p><span>Begin Slideshow</span></p> <p>Keep Reading</p> <div readability="8.63513513514"> <div readability="38">This article is <p>What is the duplicate article?</p> <p>Why is this article offensive?</p> <p>Where is this article plagiarized from?</p> <p>Why is this article poorly edited?</p> <p><textarea id="flag-article-comment"/><span>Flag This Article</span></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div readability="7.68844221106"> <p>Bleacher Report publishes the best Oakland Raiders newsletter on the internet.</p> <div> <div readability="30.7786259542"> <div readability="32"><img alt="Oakland Raiders" class="png-fix" height="50" src="http://www.raidersground.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/f036f22adfaiders.png.png" width="50" /> <p>You are now subscribed to the <strong>Oakland Raiders</strong> 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href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/seattle-seahawks/" title="View all posts in Seattle Seahawks" rel="category tag">Seattle Seahawks</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/shane-lechler/" title="View all posts in Shane Lechler" rel="category tag">Shane Lechler</a><span class="comments"><span>Comments Off</span></span></p> </div><!--/post--> <div class="post-alt blog" id="post-1228"> <a title="Oakland Raiders and Texas Southern University Made Us Half-Happy With New Trend" href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/oakland-raiders-and-texas-southern-university-made-us-half-happy-with-new-trend/" ><img src="http://www.raidersground.com/wp-content/themes/gazette2/thumb.php?src=<img src="http://www.raidersground.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/788231bc7540x234.jpg.jpg" />&w=100&h=100&zc=1&q=90" alt="Oakland Raiders and Texas Southern University Made Us Half-Happy With New Trend" class="woo-image th" width="100" height="100" /></a> <h2><a title="Permanent Link to Oakland Raiders and Texas Southern University Made Us Half-Happy With New Trend" href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/oakland-raiders-and-texas-southern-university-made-us-half-happy-with-new-trend/" rel="bookmark">Oakland Raiders and Texas Southern University Made Us Half-Happy With New Trend</a></h2> <p class="post_date">Posted on 08 December 2010. <span class="singletags">Tags: <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/article/" rel="tag">article</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/division/" rel="tag">division</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/getty-images/" rel="tag">getty-images</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/oakland-raiders/" rel="tag">Oakland Raiders</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/pittsburgh/" rel="tag">pittsburgh</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/pittsburgh-steelers/" rel="tag">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/raider/" rel="tag">raider</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/san/" rel="tag">san</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/shift-the-trend/" rel="tag">shift-the-trend</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/society/" rel="tag">society</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/texas/" rel="tag">texas</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/time/" rel="tag">time</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/tsu/" rel="tag">tsu</a></span></p> <div class="entry"> <p> <div readability="141.642671984"><span><img alt="SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Jason Campbell #8 the Oakland Raiders breaks the tackle of Brandon Siler #59 of the San Diego Chargers in the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-13. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)" class="article-photo imagery" height="234" rel="crop_x:0,crop_y:80,crop_h:1831,crop_w:3000,original_file_name:107344696.jpg" src="http://www.raidersground.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/788231bc7540x234.jpg.jpg?1291826615" width="340" /><span>Jeff Gross/Getty Images</span></span></p> <p>We all select our favorite teams in different ways. Some folks are born into the Raider Nation. Others watched the teams and decided on their favorites.</p> <p>My connection with the Oakland Raiders started when I realized that Al Davis was an advocate for change. He made some powerful moves that indicated he wanted change in the NFL and in our society.</p> <p>Years ago, Davis saw a film and he thought he was looking at Otis Taylor from Prairie View University. The player that he was watching was Warren Wells. Davis found a way to get Wells to play for the Oakland Raiders. At the time, the Kansas City Chiefs had too many wide receivers according to the old stories. It was a great decision to select Wells because he has been described as the prototype wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders.</p> <p>Wells demonstrated integrity and intensity on the playing field. In 1969 he was recognized as the top wide receiver in the NFL. Wells attended Texas Southern University (TSU).</p> <p>The TSU team had many talented players as far back as 42 years ago. They are making history on Dec. 11, playing in a championship game in Alabama.</p> <p>The resurgence of interest in TSU is solely because Johnnie Cole, the head coach, has come up with a plan to return the team to glory.</p> <p>Parallel to TSU’s challenge, the Oakland Raiders have had their peaks and valleys. In 2010 the Oakland Raiders are coming out of a valley. In the AFC West, they are looking very good.</p> <p>Last week I wrote an article tagging myself as “half-happy” since TSU is headed toward a SWAC championship. Now that the Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers on  Dec. 5, I can describe myself and others as *three-quarters happy.” Some of us won’t be able to call ourselves “happy” until the Oakland Raiders win their division and head toward the playoffs.</p> <p>For now, let’s honor TSU and hope that both teams have favor and accomplish great things in 2010.</p> <p>Has TSU, a historical black college, produced other outstanding NFL players? Yes, they have and here is the list. After all, since TSU may become a championship team, during pro day, maybe the scouts for the Oakland Raiders will show up in March 2011 and scope the young talented players who went to a championship game in their division.</p> <p>Here is a historical list of TSU players who became NFL players.</p> <p>Adams, Julius (1971 – 1987) <br/>Allen, Nate (1971 – 1979) <br/>Askson, Bert (1971 – 1977) <br/>Baker, Keith (1985 – 1985) <br/>Baker, Mel (1974 – 1976) <br/>Baylor, Ray (1974 – 1974) <br/>Bone, Warren (1987 – 1987) <br/>Branton, Gene (1983 – 1985) <br/>Briggs, Greg (1995 – 1997) <br/>Burrough, Ken (1970 – 1981) <br/>Calloway, Ernie (1969 – 1972) <br/>Celestin, Oliver (2004 – 2008) <br/>Cheeks, B.w. (1965 – 1965) <br/>Colbert, Darrell (1987 – 1988) <br/>Courville, Vince (1987 – 1987) <br/>Cox, Arthur (1983 – 1991) <br/>Crowe, Larry (1972 – 1975) <br/>Dean, Fred (1978 – 1982) <br/>Douglas, John (1967 – 1969) <br/>Ellison, Willie (1967 – 1974) <br/>Ford, Jim (1971 – 1972) <br/>Frazier, Charlie (1962 – 1970) <br/>Hankton, Cortez (2003 – 2006) <br/>Hart, Harold (1974 – 1978) <br/>Hepburn, Lonnie (1971 – 1974) <br/>Hicks, W.k. (1964 – 1972) <br/>Hill, Winston (1963 – 1977) <br/>Hines, Jimmy (1969 – 1970) <br/>Holmes, Ernie (1972 – 1978) <br/>Holmes, Jack (1978 – 1982) <br/>Holmes, Mike (1974 – 1976) <br/>Hopkins, Roy (1967 – 1970) <br/>Johnson, Kevin (1995 – 1997) <br/>Johnson, Nate (1987 – 1987) <br/>Jones, Boyd (1984 – 1984) <br/>Jones, Homer (1964 – 1970) <br/>Lyday, Allen (1984 – 1987) <br/>Maxie, Brett (1985 – 1997) <br/>Mays, Dave (1976 – 1978) <br/>Mitchell, Leroy (1967 – 1996) <br/>Moore, Will (1995 – 1998) <br/>Muhammad, Calvin (1982 – 1987) <br/>Mumphord, Lloyd (1969 – 1978) <br/>Paul, Harold (1974 – 1974) <br/>Perkins, Willis (1961 – 1963) <br/>Philyaw, Charles (1976 – 1979) <br/>Pollard, Bob (1971 – 1981) <br/>Porter, Willie (1968 – 1968) <br/>Pough, Ernie (1976 – 1978) <br/>Rackley, David (1985 – 1985) <br/>Rice, Andy (1966 – 1973) <br/>Sorey, Jim (1960 – 1962) <br/>Strahan, Art (1965 – 1968) <br/>Strahan, Michael (1993 – 2007) <br/>Thomasson, Leon (1987 – 1987) <br/>Wells, Warren (1964 – 1970) <br/>White, Alberto (1994 – 1996) <br/>White, John (1960 – 1961) <br/>Young, James (1977 – 1979) </p> <p>Ernie Holmes is in this list and he was a part of the original Steel Curtain of the Pittsburgh Steelers who, unfortunately, defeated the Raiders in 2010.</p> <p>Winston Hill and W. K. Hicks played with the New York Jets, when the great Joe Namath was the quarterback.</p> <p>The list includes Warren Wells who played with George Blanda, Daryl Lamonica, Fred Biletnikoff and was coached by John Madden.</p> <p>The Raider Nation is grateful that it has not taken 42 years to shift the trend upward as in the case of TSU. What’s more, some of us who watch college and pro football are happier because things are looking better. It has taken almost eight years for the Oakland Raiders to shift the trend upward.</p> <p>Indeed, we have a reason to be “three-quarters” happy. Now, once the Oakland Raiders are definitely in the playoffs, some of us will be “100 percent” happy.</p> <p>Go Raiders! Go TSU tigers!</p> </div> <div readability="38">This article is <p>What is the duplicate article?</p> <p>Why is this article offensive?</p> <p>Where is this article plagiarized from?</p> <p>Why is this article poorly edited?</p> <p><textarea id="flag-article-comment"/><span>Flag This Article</span></div> </p> <p><img src="http://www.raidersground.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/788231bc7540x234.jpg-150x103.jpg" /></p> <p> Subscribe to our feed!.</p> </div> <p class="posted">Posted in <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/1/" title="View all posts in 1" rel="category tag">1</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/jason-campbell/" title="View all posts in Jason Campbell" rel="category tag">Jason Campbell</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/kansas-city-chiefs/" title="View all posts in Kansas City Chiefs" rel="category tag">Kansas City Chiefs</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/new-york-jets/" title="View all posts in New York Jets" rel="category tag">New York Jets</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/oakland-raiders/" title="View all posts in Oakland Raiders" rel="category tag">Oakland Raiders</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/pittsburgh-steelers/" title="View all posts in Pittsburgh Steelers" rel="category tag">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/raiders-news/" title="View all posts in raiders-news" rel="category tag">raiders-news</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/san-diego-chargers/" title="View all posts in San Diego Chargers" rel="category tag">San Diego Chargers</a><span class="comments"><span>Comments Off</span></span></p> </div><!--/post--> <div class="post-alt blog" id="post-1193"> <h2><a title="Permanent Link to Oakland Raiders Are Probably Giving Thanks for the Wins in 2010" href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/oakland-raiders-are-probably-giving-thanks-for-the-wins-in-2010/" rel="bookmark">Oakland Raiders Are Probably Giving Thanks for the Wins in 2010</a></h2> <p class="post_date">Posted on 25 November 2010. <span class="singletags">Tags: <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/oakland-raiders/" rel="tag">Oakland Raiders</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/raider/" rel="tag">raider</a></span></p> <div class="entry"> <p>Happy Thanksgiving, Oakland Raiders and Raider Nation. </p> <p>Not much else going on in the NFL world today. </p> </div> <p class="posted">Posted in <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/oakland-raiders/" title="View all posts in Oakland Raiders" rel="category tag">Oakland Raiders</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/raiders-news/" title="View all posts in raiders-news" rel="category tag">raiders-news</a><span class="comments"><span>Comments Off</span></span></p> </div><!--/post--> <div class="post-alt blog" id="post-1179"> <h2><a title="Permanent Link to Oakland Raiders Still a Work in Progress Following Lesson By Pittsburgh" href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/oakland-raiders-still-a-work-in-progress-following-lesson-by-pittsburgh/" rel="bookmark">Oakland Raiders Still a Work in Progress Following Lesson By Pittsburgh</a></h2> <p class="post_date">Posted on 23 November 2010. <span class="singletags">Tags: <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/broncos/" rel="tag">broncos</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/oakland-raiders/" rel="tag">Oakland Raiders</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/raider/" rel="tag">raider</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/raider-nation/" rel="tag">raider-nation</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/raiders/" rel="tag">raiders</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/raiders-as-bad/" rel="tag">raiders-as-bad</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/resurgent/" rel="tag">resurgent</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/right-off-tom/" rel="tag">right-off-tom</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/score-line/" rel="tag">score-line</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/seahawks/" rel="tag">seahawks</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/some-honesty/" rel="tag">some-honesty</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/steelers/" rel="tag">steelers</a></span></p> <div class="entry"> <p>Rome was not built in a day It’s time for some honesty and realism from the Oakland Raiders and the Raider Nation . Are the Raiders as bad as the 35-3 score line suggests against the Steelers ? No</p> <p>Thanks for reading! .</p> </div> <p class="posted">Posted in <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/oakland-raiders/" title="View all posts in Oakland Raiders" rel="category tag">Oakland Raiders</a>, <a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/category/raiders-news/" title="View all posts in raiders-news" rel="category tag">raiders-news</a><span class="comments"><span>Comments Off</span></span></p> </div><!--/post--> <div class="more_entries"> <div class="alignleft"><a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/raider/" >« Newer Entries </a></div> <div class="alignright"><a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/tag/raider/page/3/" > Older Entries »</a></div> <br class="fix" /> </div> </div><!--/col1--> <div class="col2"> <div id="text-3" class="block widget widget_text"> <div class="textwidget"><img src="http://www.raidersground.com/wp-content/themes/reflections/images/reflections.jpg"></div> </div><div id="text-4" class="block widget widget_text"><h3>Sign Up To Blog!</h3> <div class="textwidget"><img src="http://www.jcfan.net/images/signup/NFL/RaidersBlog.jpg"></div> </div><div id="text-5" class="block widget widget_text"><h3>Oakland Raiders Tickets</h3> <div class="textwidget"><a href="http://www.yaytickets.com/nfl-football-tickets/oakland-raiders-tickets.php"><img src="http://www.jcfan.net/images/tickets/NFL/RaidersTickets.jpg"></a></div> </div> <div id="recent-posts-3" class="block widget widget_recent_entries"> <h3>Recent Posts</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/raiders-lb-rolando-mcclain-sentenced-to-180-days-in-jail-for-assault-other-criminal-charges/" title="Raiders LB Rolando McClain sentenced to 180 days in jail for assault, other criminal charges">Raiders LB Rolando McClain sentenced to 180 days in jail for assault, other criminal charges</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/oakland-raiders-issue-statement-on-mcclains-legal-issues/" title="Oakland Raiders issue statement on McClain’s legal issues">Oakland Raiders issue statement on McClain’s legal issues</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/oakland-raiders-linebacker-rolando-mcclain-found-guilty/" title="Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain found guilty">Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain found guilty</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/raiders-mcclain-sentenced-to-180-days-in-jail/" title="Raiders' McClain sentenced to 180 days in jail">Raiders' McClain sentenced to 180 days in jail</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.raidersground.com/oakland-raiders/oakland-raiders-linebacker-rolando-mcclain-sentenced-to-180-days-in-jail/" title="Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain sentenced to 180 days in jail">Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain sentenced to 180 days in jail</a></li> </ul> </div><div id="text-6" class="block widget widget_text"><h3>NFL Blogs</h3> <div class="textwidget"><td><a href="http://www.falconswire.com" rel="nofollow">Atlanta Falcons Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.cardinalsnation.com" rel="nofollow">Arizona Cardinals Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.ravensnews.com" rel="nofollow">Baltimore Ravens Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.billscity.com" rel="nofollow">Buffalo Bills Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.pantherscentral.com" rel="nofollow">Carolina Panthers Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.bearswire.com" rel="nofollow">Chicago Bears Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.bengalsdown.com" rel="nofollow">Cincinnati Bengals Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.brownsreport.com" rel="nofollow">Cleveland Browns Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.cowboyswire.com" rel="nofollow">Dallas Cowboys Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.broncoswire.com" rel="nofollow">Denver Broncos Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.lionshuddle.com" rel="nofollow">Detroit Lions Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.packergreen.com" rel="nofollow">Green Bay Packers Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.texanswire.com" rel="nofollow">Houston Texans Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.coltsreport.com" rel="nofollow">Indianapolis Colts Blog </a> <br /> <a href="http://www.jaguarsnation.com" rel="nofollow">Jacksonville Jaguars Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.chiefscentral.com" rel="nofollow">Kansas City Chiefs Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.dolphinswire.com" rel="nofollow">Miami Dolphins Blog </a><br /> <a href="http://www.vikingsnation.com" rel="nofollow">Minnesota Vikings Blog </a> <br /> <a href="http://www.patriotswire.com" rel="nofollow">N.E. 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