Read More: Kyle Boller (QB – OAK), Matt Leinart (QB – OAK), Carson Palmer (QB – OAK), Andre Johnson (WR – HOU), Matt Schaub (QB – HOU), Terrelle Pryor (QB – OAK), Oakland Raiders

Going into the 2012 season, quarterback is at long last the position at which the Raiders have the least amount of concern. The position is manned by an All-Pro, Heisman-winning, former number one overall pick in Carson Palmer. He is backed up by a solid veteran and also former Heisman winner Matt Leinart, and third on the depth chart is supplemental pick Terrelle Pryor, a tremendous athlete in his own right who will be given the opportunity to learn the system without any pressure to perform immediately.

The Raiders gave up a lot to get Carson Palmer, but a player of his skill and caliber always requires great sacrifice to acquire. He has a huge arm, good accuracy, and a quick release which somewhat negates his lack of mobility. He can make all the throws and has the ability to lead Oakland’s speedy receivers with pinpoint downfield throws. He is a good fit for OC Gregg Knapp’s system, as he can make all the throws Matt Schaub was asked to make in Houston under Knapp. Palmer will not have any receiver remotely as good as Andre Johnson, but the Raiders WR corps as a whole is vastly superior to Houston’s (and Cincinnati’s when Palmer last played there) and Palmer will be able to take advantage of that. Look for a huge year from Carson Palmer.

Matt Leinart is the perfect backup for this team. He’s a California guy, a smart player who previously backed up Palmer at USC, and played in the Greg Knapp system last year in Houston. He showed flashes of being really good last year before suffering an injury. He will know his role and should anything ill befall Palmer, Leinart will be better than Kyle Boller was last year. That’s really all the Raiders ask at this point. He was thrown to the wolves in Arizona, but has been a solid backup since then. He may end up taking the long route on the Matt Schaub career path, wherein he languishes as a backup for some time before a team picks him up to be the starter. He is precisely what the Raiders need at this juncture.

Finally, there’s Terrelle Pryor. Many people felt Al Davis was daft to use a third-round supplmental pick on Pryor. Those people apparently never watched Pryor play in college. He is extremely athletic and willed Ohio State to many victories seemingly on his own, He was one of those Cam Newton man-amongst-boys type players in the Big Ten and dominated the competition. There was clearly nobody in the third round this year remotely close to Pryor’s level of skill and football talent. He will have every opportunity to develop into this team’s long-term answer at QB, as neither of the top two QBs on the depth chart have long-term futures here. Pryor is the perfect guy to slowly develop and mold into that role. If all goes well for him he could develop into a Randall Cunningham-style dual threat at quarterback and make the Raiders even more dynamic on offense than they are currently.

For more on the Oakland Raiders, join the discussion over at Silver And Black Pride. You can also check out everything we have to offer at SB Nation’s NFL hub.

The Oakland Raiders are an incredible organization and one of things I like most about the team is the long connection they have with many career Raiders. There are many players who only wore the Silver and Black during their NFL playing career.

On the other side, there are players who only spent a brief time in Oakland (or Los Angeles), during their NFL careers. Some of these are Hall of Famers, but whose contributions and achievements were mainly made with other teams. Although their time with the Raider Nation may have been brief, I think it’s important to recognize their contributions to the team’s success.

Here are five Hall of Famers who played for the Raiders, but whose contributions and achievements were mainly made with other teams:

Bob “Boomer” Brown

Boomer Brown finished his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders, playing from 1971-1973 and played in the Pro Bowl while a Raider. He started his NFL career in Philadelphia from 1964-1968, then moved on to Los Angeles to play for the Rams from 1969-1970. He was a big tackle, at 6′ 4″, 280 pounds and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Eric Dickerson

I think Dickerson will always be a Ram. He played for the Los Angeles Raiders in 1992 and had a bad year, compared to his greatness with the Rams. For the Raiders, he had 729 yards rushing and only two touchdowns. He played for the Rams from 1983-1987, for the Colts from 1987-1991, the Raiders in 1992 and ended his career in Atlanta in 1993.

James Lofton

Lofton had two good seasons with the Los Angeles Raiders but really put up some numbers while he was with the Green Bay Packers from 1978-1986. He played for the Raiders from 1987-1988 and also had some strong stats in Buffalo after leaving the team. In 1987, he had 41 receptions for 880 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Ron Mix

Ron Mix is a legendary Charger, but played his final 1971 season with the Oakland Raiders. He was key part of the early Chargers success, playing for the team from 1960-1969. His nickname, “The Intellectual Assasin” was due to his USC scholarship and eventual law degree. He was an offensive tackle who liked to follow the rules, he had only two holding penalties in 10 years.

Jerry Rice

To me, Jerry Rice is always a San Francisco 49er. He played for the Oakland Raiders from 2001-2004 and then for Seattle also in 2004, but his glory days were from 1985-2000 in San Francisco. He had some good stats with the Raiders, in 2001 he had 83 catches for 1,139 yards and 9 TDs and in 2002 he had 92 receptions for 1,211 yards and 7 TDs.

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

More from this contributor:

’76 Raiders Are the Greatest Team Ever – NFL Fans Have Spoken

Oakland Raiders’ European Team – SWARCO Raiders: Fan’s Look

Oakland Raiders’ Other Assassin – George Atkinson: Fan’s Look

After patiently waiting through nearly two days of the 2012 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders were finally able to make their first pick in the third round with the 95th overall pick at the end of the evening on Friday, April 27. It was the first without the Raiders’ iconic owner, Al Davis, who passed away just last October, making this a true milestone moment in the history of the franchise.

Their first pick of 2012 went to Utah offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom, who will most likely be competing with Cooper Carlisle for the Raiders’ left guard position. The decision was another good one, in my opinion, coming from new general manager Reggie McKenzie. Bergstrom is not a flashy choice but he’s a solid player who will work hard with the team goals in mind, rather than putting his individual achievements in the spotlight.

McKenzie called Bergstrom “tough, with great football intelligence, physical,” and I like what the 6-foot-5, 313 pounds player had to say about his worth ethic. Bergstrom told reporters in a conference call, “I’m not stranger to coming home and studying all day and spending time with the family instead of going out at night. As soon as I get my playbook, I’m going back to that lifestyle of just studying every day and doing my workouts. I think having that schedule that you get used to, that’s kind of a big part of maturity.”

The next pick for the Raiders came in the fourth round with the 129th overall selection going to linebacker Miles Burris out of San Diego State. Burris is another player who seems to have a strong passion for the game. He was a Raiders’ fan growing up in Granite Bay, Calif. and remarked, ” It’s just going to be amazing to play on that field and wear a Raider uniform.”

Burris will start out as an outside linebacker but the Raiders believe he is versatile enough to be able to move around as needed and possibly make some contributions to special teams. He also said, “I just want to contribute to this organization and am just very excited to be a Raider.”

I’m happy about this move as well, as McKenzie seems to know exactly what to do as he puts this team back together. Last year Burris was on the first team All-Mountain West Conference and in 2010 he led the team with 80 tackles, 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.

The next pick was London, England born Jack Crawford out of Penn State. The defensive end had four sacks in his final three games of the 2011 regular season and is said to be a very good athlete with good size at 6-foot-4 7/8″ and 274 pounds. He only spent two years as a football player, with his first two years playing basketball and might need some help from head coach Dennis Allen before reaching his potential.

The second pick in the fifth round, the 168th overall pick, went to Arizona wide receiver Juron Criner who caught 209 passes for 2,859 yards and 32 touchdowns for the Wildcats. This is one of the more exciting moves for the Raiders and he could turn out to be the great steal of 2012.

Defensive tackle Christo Bilukidi from Georgia State was a sixth round pick and the 189th overall selection. Bilukidi was born in Angola and played high school football in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He made history becoming the first NFL draft pick from Georgia State and had 89 tackles with 10 sacks over two seasons. He said he worked hard to get to this point and he should be another great addition to the Silver and Black.

Finally, the Raiders used the 230th overall pick on Penn State linebacker Nathan Stupar. Jeff Hostetler, the Raiders’ former quarterback, is his uncle. He’ll reportedly be used as a special teams contributor and could be a rotational weak-side linebacker.

As we get closer to the season start on Monday night, September 10, I think as Raider fans we have more and more to be excited about in 2012. Go Raiders!

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.

More from this contributor:

Who Was the Oakland Raiders’ Best Steal in the 2011 Draft? Fan Perspective

’76 Oakland Raiders Named Greatest Team of All Time Proves Strength of Raider Nation: Fan Take

Will Philip Wheeler Sign with Oakland? Plus Raiders Trade Bruce Campbell for Mike Goodson: Fan’s Take

Oakland Raiders’ Three Compensatory Picks Another Good Sign for 2012: Fan Reaction

The Oakland Raiders officially announced on Tuesday, April 24, that Hall of Famer Willie Brown will announce the 3rd round pick on Friday, April 27 from Radio City Music Hall.

While the Raiders don’t have a lot of picks this year, they do have five including their three compensatory picks that they were awarded in late March. New general manager Reggie McKenzie was quite pleased with the additions and said he’d be able to get “some good players, as many starters as possible.”

Brown remarked about the excitement involved and said, “I think it’s exciting. I’ve been doing it for a few years now and I get excited just knowing that the guy that we’re taking this year, he’s as excited as I am. So it’s great. I feel good about doing it and Raider Nation, they surely feel good about it. I look forward to it every year.”

So far the Raiders have hosted 18 college players with only eight to be taken in the draft and the rest may turn out to be undrafted free agents.

What makes the draft this year even more exciting, and perhaps a little surreal is the fact that for the first time the Raiders will pick without Al Davis around. The late iconic owner was the face of the team for decades, and McKenzie must be feeling not just excited anticipation but it has to be a tremendous amount of pressure as well.

I think he’ll come through with flying colors, and in all honesty it seems to be the start of a new winning era on the horizon.

In my opinion, and I believe the opinion of most, Oakland’s greatest need is at left guard, nose tackle and both linebacker and defensive tackle depth. One of the most talked about players that could be taken as their 3rd round pick include defensive tackle Josh Chapman.

Chapman is projected to be a third or fourth round pick, and the only reason he won’t go higher is because of the surgery he had in January to repair a torn ACL. He’s got the massive size needed at 6’1″ and 316 pounds, and could be a huge help to the Raiders defense. In 2011, he’s said to have played through his injury showing the level of dedication that Oakland needs.

I always enjoy watching the draft in the spring, who will become the privileged men to be honored by wearing 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.

More from this contributor:

’76 Oakland Raiders Named Greatest Team of All Time Proves Strength of Raider Nation: Fan Take

Will Philip Wheeler Sign with Oakland? Plus Raiders Trade Bruce Campbell for Mike Goodson: Fan’s Take

Oakland Raiders’ Three Compensatory Picks Another Good Sign for 2012: Fan Reaction

Oakland Raiders’ Legendary Quarterback Jim Plunkett: Thoughts on the Past and the Team’s Future

As an Oakland Raiders fan, I have mixed feelings about the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I respect the institution, but have a lot of issues about how many great Oakland Raiders have yet to be “enshrined.” Raider legends like Jim Plunkett, Ken Stabler and Cliff Branch continue to be overlooked, while lesser players get in. Here’s a look at five Oakland Raiders greats who are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Fred Biletnikoff

Fred Biletnikoff played for the Silver and Black from draft through retirement, clocking in 14 years. Biletnikoff caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and scored 76 touchdowns. At the time of his retirement, he led the league with the record of catching 40 or more passes in 10 consecutive seasons. He also had 70 receptions, 1,167 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns in 10 post-season games for another NFL career-record. He was an All-AFL pick in 1969 and was an NFL All-Pro in 1972 and All-AFC in 1970, 1972 and 1973. He also played in two AFL All-Star games and four AFC-NFC Pro Bowl games, along with three AFL and five AFC championship games. As the MVP of Super Bowl XI, Biletnikoff helped the Raiders beat the Vikings 32-14. He also helped the team to an amazing 16-1 season in 1976, truly one of the Raiders’ greatest seasons ever.

George Blanda

Blanda played for the Raiders at the end of his career, after seven seasons with the Houston Oilers, who thought he was done. He proved everyone wrong and played nine great seasons with the Silver and Black as a back-up QB and kicker. His NFL career started way back in 1949 but Blanda really had a great season in 1970. Over a five-game stretch, Blanda helped the Raiders win four games and tied one more with either passing or kicking or both. He was the AFC Player of the Year in 1970, at age 43. Raiders’ owner Al Davis said of Blanda’s 1970 season: “George Blanda inspired a whole nation in 1970. I really believe he is the greatest clutch player in the history of this game.”

Jim Otto

Center Jim Otto really anchored the offensive line of the Raiders for the entire 15 years he played with the team. He played in 308 games, including six AFL title games, Super Bowl II and 12 All-Star games. He played for the Oakland Raiders from 1960-1974 and is a great member of the Raider Nation. He’s one of the original Oakland Raider players who started in 1960, the very first year the team was in existence.

John Madden

I really do think Madden is the greatest football coach ever, and is still the heart and soul of the Oakland Raiders. Madden actually started as a player, he was drafted in the 21st round of the 1958 NFL Draft by the Eagles but injured himself in his rookie season and never played again. He coached for several college teams before joining the Raiders in 1967 as the linebackers coach. Madden finished with an overall record of 103 wins, 32 loses and 7 ties. Under his leadership, the team won seven Western Division titles, including the incredible five-in-a-row run from 1972-1976 and the win in Super Bowl XI in early 1977. In the 1976 and 1977 seasons, the Raiders won 17 games in a row, one short of the record at the time and they went 13-1 in 1976, one of the team’s greatest seasons ever.

Willie Brown

Inducted as part of the Class of 1984, cornerback Willie Brown came to the Raiders from the Denver Broncos in 1967 and played until 1978 with Oakland. He played in nine AFL/AFC title games and two Super Bowls. In Super Bowl XI he had an amazing 75-yard interception and touchdown to help clinch the game.

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

More from this contributor:

’76 Raiders Are the Greatest Team Ever – NFL Fans Have Spoken

Oakland Raiders’ Great John Madden: Fan’s Perspective

Oakland Raiders’ Legend George Blanda: Fan’s Perspective

Oakland Raiders’ Legend Fred Biletnikoff: Fan’s Perspective

With the Oakland Raiders starting their off-season workouts and the 2012 NFL Draft rapidly approaching, I think we have a big year coming up. New GM Reggie McKenzie has been building the team, from the head coach, on down and Oakland Raiders fans like me just have to trust his judgement.

While I think it’s important to look forward to the new season, I also like to take a look back at some of the Raiders players who helped create and build the historic team we now have. This season is all about Carson Palmer and whether he can live up to the superstar burden that’s been placed upon him. I think GM McKenzie has been building a team around him, so after an off-season to really learn the Raiders systems, he better step up to the task. Palmer follows in the footsteps of a lot of great Raiders quarterbacks, here’s a look at the best.

By yards gained, here are the Oakland Raiders’ top five career passing leaders:

1 – Ken Stabler

I think the fact that Ken “The Snake” Stabler is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame shows the bias and discrimination felt against the Raiders. Snake played for the Silver and Black from 1970-1979 and racked up 19,078 yards and 150 touchdowns. He was 1,486 for 2,481, which is 59.9 percent completions.

2 – Rich Gannon

I always think of Gannon as “the Quiet Raider” as he just went out and did his job. He played for the Raiders from 1999-2004 and put up some impressive stats. He has 17,585 yards, with 114 touchdowns. He also has a low 50 interceptions. With the Raiders, he was 1,533 for 2,448, a 62.6 percent completion rate.

3 – Daryle Lamonica

We’re getting old-school with “The Mad Bomber” himself, Daryle Lamonica. Lamonica played for the Raiders from 1967-1973 and has 16,655 total yards, with 148 touchdowns. He was 1,138 for 2,248, which is a 50.6 percent completion rate.

4 – Jim Plunkett

Plunkett is a another Oakland Raiders icon and I can remember watching him play in his final season in 1986. He led the team to Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XV against the Eagles, then again the next season, after the move to Los Angeles. He has 12,665 yards passing with the Raiders, with 80 touchdowns. He completed 960 passes out of 1,697 attempts, for a 56.6 completion percentage.

5 – Marc Wilson

Wilson is another less high profile player, who still was a great member of the Raider Nation and had some impressive stats as QB. He passed for 11,760 yards with 77 touchdowns. He also had 86 interceptions. He threw 871 completions in 1,666 attempts, a 52.3 percent completion rate.

Interesting fact

Number 6 on the list of the Raiders’ career passing leaders is Raider legend Tom Flores, who was a great Raider quarterback before he was a great Raider coach. Flores was also the first Hispanic quarterback in the NFL.

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

More from this contributor:

Who Really Owns the Oakland Raiders? Fan’s Perspective

Farmers Field Proposed Re-design is Too Expensive to Build: Fan’s Opinion

Top 5 Greatest Oakland Raiders Hall of Famers

The Oakland Raiders‘ former head coach and player Art Shell will be honored once again by the Pro Football Hall of Fame where he’ll be given recognition as a Hometown Hall of Famer in North Charleston, South Carolina on Friday, April 6, at 2 pm. EDT at North Charleston High School.

The national program honors the hometown roots of the NFL‘s greatest players and Shell will be presented with the plaque by representatives of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Allstate Insurance Company and the North Charleston, S.C. community. It will remain on permanent display at North Charleston High School.

Shell spoke with Levi Damien of SilverandBlackPride.com about what the ceremony means to him, commenting, “With the Pro Football Hall of Fame and All State insurance company getting together and giving us a chance to go to our roots and where we came from and where we were nourished as football players back in the day. It’s a great opportunity to go back home and be among friends, family and football players I played with and to be honored. I’m looking forward to it and I think it’s going to be a wonderful event.”

On January 21, 1989, the Raiders’ former 15-year offensive tackle was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He made his NFL debut with the Raiders in 1968 and retired in Oakland in 1982, spending every year of his playing career with the Silver and Black. His presentation speech was given by the Raiders’ late owner, Al Davis.

Shell starred in the Raiders’ first Super Bowl Championship game against the Minnesota Vikings on January 9, 1977, helping the team capture their first title with a defeat over Minnesota, 32-14. He was credited with a near flawless performance against the Vikings’ standout defensive end, Jim Marshall.

In college with Maryland State-Eastern Shore, Shell was a star on offense and defense and was named All-Conference three years, All-America two years by the Pittsburgh Courier and Ebony Magazine and little All-America as a senior in 1967. He was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times and made the All-Pro team three times in addition to many other great accomplishments. Many felt that Shell was the ” finest of many excellent Raiders offensive linemen of the 1970s.”

As the Raiders’ head coach, he was named the 1990 AFC Coach of the Year and amassed a record of 54 wins and 38 losses during his first stint from 1989 to 1994 in Los Angeles.

It’s no wonder players like linebacker Philip Wheeler, who was recently signed to the team, credit Oakland’s reputation as one of the most legendary teams in the NFL as the reason for wanting to become a Raider. Men like Shell helped it become that way.

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.

More from this contributor:

’76 Oakland Raiders Named Greatest Team of All Time Proves Strength of Raider Nation: Fan Take

Oakland Raiders’ Three Compensatory Picks Another Good Sign for 2012: Fan Reaction

Oakland Raiders’ Legendary Quarterback Jim Plunkett: Thoughts on the Past and the Team’s Future

Oakland Raiders’ Fan’s Look: Quarterback Carson Palmer Makes Sacrifices

Can you hear that crunch? It’s the sound of the Oakland Raiders practicing as the team started their first day of the 2012 off-season program today, April 2. The Raiders are starting their workouts and strength conditioning, all part of the preparation necessary to get ready for the 2012 NFL season.

While Oakland Raiders fans like me are all looking to the future, I like to take a look back at some of the Raiders’ greatest players and greatest plays. With the excitement of the signing of new defensive back Pat Lee, I thought it would be cool to look back at some of the Raiders’ greatest defensive backs and their accomplishments. Here’s a look at the Oakland Raiders top five longest interception returns:

102 yards – Eddie Anderson

Eddie Anderson may have been overshadowed a lot by his fellow safety, the great Ronnie Lott, but Anderson was a truly clutch player for the Silver and Black. On December 14, 1992 in a game against Miami, Anderson picked off a pass by Dan Marino and ran it back 102 yards for a touchdown. It wasn’t enough, and the Raiders lost the game 20-7.

100 yards – Chris Carr

Cornerback Chris Carr was just released by the Ravens, but was an Oakland Raider for the 2005, 2006 and 2007 seasons. In a game on October 29, 2006, against the Steelers, Carr picked off a pass by Ben Roethlisbeger and ran it 100 yards for a touchdown, helping the Raiders win the game 20-16.

98 yards – Rod Woodson

Hall of Famer Rod Woodson played most of his time in Pittsburgh, but had a record setting interception during his two years with the Raiders, 2002 and 2003. On November 11, 2002, Woodson picked off a pass by the Broncos’ Brian Griese at the two-yard line and ran it all the way back for a touchdown.

97 yards – Mike Haynes

In a 13-year NFL career, Hall of Famer Mike Haynes spend seven seasons with the Raiders and 1984 was HIS year. He had 220 yards in interceptions, including a record setting long play of 97 yards. On December 2, 1984 against the Dolphins, Haynes had a 97-yard interception return, picking off a pass by Dan Marino.

94 yards – Eric Turner

Eric Turner has a sad story. After nine seasons in the NFL and two All-Pro seasons, Turner passed away in 2000 from cancer at the age of 31. On September 20, 1998, in a game against the Broncos, Turner had a 94-yard interception return, after picking off a John Elway pass. The Broncos went on to beat the Raiders, 34-17.

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

More from this contributor:

’76 Raiders Are the Greatest Team Ever – NFL Fans Have Spoken

Oakland Raiders’ European Team – SWARCO Raiders: Fan’s Look

Oakland Raiders’ Other Assassin – George Atkinson: Fan’s Look

The Oakland Raiders‘ starting quarterback Carson Palmer can’t wait to get his first full season with the Silver and Black started. On Monday, April 2, he’ll finally get his playbook. He’s been down in Los Angeles working out with some of the weapons he’ll have out on the field in 2012, but under the new collective bargaining agreement players haven’t been able to even get a glimpse of the playbook from new coach Dennis Allen and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.

The former Cincinnati Bengals‘ quarterback told San Francisco Chronicle writer Vittorio Tafur, “I am fired up to get my playbook. We have a lot of work to do. We have a new offense and a new defense. New terminology. But we’re very excited. Personnel-wise, we have as good an opportunity as anybody to win the whole thing.”

Palmer also said he’s been watching a lot of film of the Houston Texans’ offense, the team that Knapp was a part of for two years as the quarterbacks’ coach, and he remarked, ” I am excited to see how our personnel fits into this offense I have been watching. Monday can’t get here soon enough.”

Every time I hear Palmer talk about the upcoming season I get a little more excited for it to begin, and I know I’m not alone when I say the majority of the Raider Nation is counting down the days until the Silver and Black get back out on the field. Some of what Palmer has to say reminds me of the team’s most recent great quarterback, Rich Gannon. As many might recall, Gannon and former head coach Jon Gruden used to get to the team’s Alameda offices in the very early hours of the morning to study film, and I see the same dedication in Palmer.

It’s hard to believe it hasn’t even been six months since the deal in which the Raiders gave up a 2012 first-round draft pick and a 2013 second-round pick for the veteran quarterback. Many questioned the decision on the part of the Raiders, especially when the team ended the year in a rather disappointing fashion, but during the off season Palmer has already shown he has the dedication and passion to take the team to the post season in 2012.

Palmer said he “has a sour taste in his mouth” about how they finished last season, but also remarked that he never got to play with one of the NFL’s greatest running backs, Darren McFadden. The prospect of having McFadden on the field is so enticing that he said it keeps him up at night. He called the changes that general manager Reggie McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen are making “exciting.”

In late February Palmer told Adam Schein and Rich Gannon, hosts of SiriusXM Blitz, that he “loves the pressure” to live up to the controversial trade.

If the Raiders’ key players are able to stay healthy for the majority of the upcoming season, the Raider Nation has a lot of look forward to.

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.

More from this contributor:

’76 Oakland Raiders Named Greatest Team of All Time Proves Strength of Raider Nation: Fan Take

Oakland Raiders’ Three Compensatory Picks Another Good Sign for 2012: Fan Reaction

Oakland Raiders’ Legendary Quarterback Jim Plunkett: Thoughts on the Past and the Team’s Future

Oakland Raiders’ Fan’s Look: Quarterback Carson Palmer Makes Sacrifices

On Friday, March 30, the 1976 Oakland Raiders were named the greatest team of all time in the NFL. While there is no way to scientifically prove which team is truly the most superior over the many decades of football, there is one thing that is certain. The strength of the Raider Nation rises above all others in the league.

With over five million NFL fans voting, it was the Raider fans whose votes spoke the loudest. The debate over which fans are the most passionate in the NFL has been an ongoing topic for years, and in my opinion, the fact that it was the ’76 Raiders who were named the greatest speaks volumes. It’s just one more tick mark for the argument that fans of the Silver and Black are the most loyal, dedicated fans in all of football.

Yes, the 1976 team was truly awesome. We had one of the best head coaches of all time in John Madden, with Kenny “The Snake” Stabler leading the team at quarterback. The season opened with one of the greatest games of all time known as the ” Comeback Classic,” played in front of the home crowd in Oakland against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With only five minutes left in the game, the Raiders trailed by 14 but ended up winning 31-28 with only seconds left on the clock .

The season ended with the Raiders winning their first Super Bowl title, with MVP wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff making four key receptions and Willie Brown setting a record with his 75-yard touchdown reception return.

The 1976 Raiders were not only filled with unsurpassed talent, everyone on the team played with heart. And a true Raider fan exemplifies much of what the team had that year, loyalty, passion and dedication.

If you don’t believe me, ask the newly signed linebacker Philip Wheeler. Yesterday afternoon he became the newest member of the Silver and Black. Before his visit to Oakland on Thursday, he tweeted that he had a tough career choice to make. By the time he left the East Bay he had already made up his mind.

Wheeler tweeted, “Dang Raider Nation ain’t no joke. They deep. Lol,” followed by, “Raider Nation showed love. Preciate that. Legendary place,” and finally, “I see that documentary they did on the Raiders fans was real.#RaiderNation seems strong.”

Matt Rogers, the host of Lifetime’s “Coming Home,” saw the magic when he was on the field filming the show last November. He told the Raiders’ Jeannette Thompson, “I did not know Raider fans were truly that awesome. Raider Nation, we could not have picked a better football team to do this with and I really sincerely mean that.” He reiterated the same thing to me when we spoke, and literally gushed about his feelings for the team, remarking, “I didn’t r ealize what it was all about until that Sunday afternoon in November last season.”

As Raider fans who’ve felt that magic, we know we have a lot to be proud of, and now we have just one more reason to feel that way.

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.

More from this contributor:

Will Philip Wheeler Sign with Oakland? Plus Raiders Trade Bruce Campbell for Mike Goodson: Fan’s Take

Oakland Raiders’ Three Compensatory Picks Another Good Sign for 2012: Fan Reaction

Oakland Raiders’ Legendary Quarterback Jim Plunkett: Thoughts on the Past and the Team’s Future

Oakland Raiders’ Fan’s Look: Quarterback Carson Palmer Makes Sacrifices

On Monday, March 26, the NFL announced 32 compensatory picks in the 2012 NFL Draft were awarded to 15 teams, including three to the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders will get three extra picks in the draft, one each in the 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds.

Why The Raiders Got Extra Picks

The basic answer as to why the Oakland Raiders (and the other teams) got compensatory picks, is that they lost more free agents than they acquired, specifically free agents classified as “compensatory.”

What is a Compensatory Free Agent

Not every free agent is considered a compensatory free agent. The formula is based on salary, playing time and postseason appearances and honors. The specific formula was developed by the NFL. Teams get extra picks based on the number of compensatory free agents they lost, up to a maximum of four.

Why The System Exists

I think it’s a good rule and it’s another way for the NFL to try to level the playing field financially. If a team has extra high-value free agents and loses them to another team willing to pay more, that team that lost the players get a little compensation in the form of extra draft picks. It makes up, a little, for teams that may not have the revenue to be able to afford all the big names they may want.

Raiders’ Existing Picks

The Oakland Raiders already had two draft picks, a 5th round pick (the 148th overall) and a 6th round pick (the 189th overall). With their recent signings and the upcoming draft, I think it’s going to be an exciting month for the Raider Nation.

Raiders’ New Compensatory Picks

The Silver and Black will now also get a 3rd round pick (the 95th overall), a 4th round pick (the 129th overall) and a 5th round pick (the 168th overall). I think the key pick will be that 3rd rounder as it’s still early enough in the draft to score a potential superstar.

The 2012 NFL Draft

The Draft will go down on Thursday, April 26 starting at 5:00 p.m. The second and third rounds will be Friday, April 27 at 4:00 p.m., with rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday, April 28 at 9 p.m. All times are PST.

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

More from this contributor:

Oakland Raiders Cut More Players to Make Salary Cap: Fan’s View

Oakland Raiders’ European Team – SWARCO Raiders: Fan’s Look

Oakland Raiders’ Global Presence: Fan’s Look – NFL – Yahoo! Sports

As a member of the Raider Nation and fan of the Oakland Raiders, it’s been interesting to learn there is another American football team in Europe wearing the Silver and Black. I’ve already written about the Raiders’ Austrian team (Oakland Raiders’ European Team – SWARCO Raiders: Fan’s Look), they’re called the SWARCO Raiders Tirol, named for their main sponsor, traffic control device maker SWARCO.

The SWARCO Raiders will kick off their 20th season on Saturday, March 24 and American Oakland Raider fans can watch live, online at 6 a.m. PST for the kickoff. The team opens the season with a road game, against the Kornmesser Rangers in Modling, Austria.

The SWARCO Raiders had a great 2011 season, winning both the Austrian Bowl and Eurobowl in the same season for the first time in team history. The Austrian Bowl is the championship for their own league within Austria, while the Eurobowl is a larger tournament for teams from all over Europe, similar to a World Cup soccer final, with a series of eliminations. I think the format is more popular since it mimics the popular soccer tournament formula many European fans are used to. The team won their first EFAF-Cup (a European football tournament) and then won their first Austrian Bowl championship in 2004.

The SWARCO Raiders team was formed in 1992 to play in the Austrian Football League, which is part of the European Football league. These are teams located all over Europe who play American football. Most of the players are European but the SWARCO Raiders do have three American players, including their QB, Kyle Callahan. The only other two Americans on the team are WR Talib Wise and S John Clements. Although the team has had American coaches in the past, in 2011 they hired a German coach, Shuan Fatah, who has been very successful and I think can now be considered a member of the Raider Nation, European Division.

American fans can watch the SWARCO Raiders’ 2012 season online at raidersTV.at, including the opening game on March 24. I think it’s interesting and I’ll be watching the opening game. I think the NFL Network and other sports cable channels should carry some of the European games to give American fans a taste of what American football is like in Europe.

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

More from this contributor:

Oakland Raiders Cut More Players to Make Salary Cap: Fan’s View

Oakland Raiders’ European Team – SWARCO Raiders: Fan’s Look

Oakland Raiders’ Global Presence: Fan’s Look – NFL – Yahoo! Sports

While Monday brought the shocking news of Peyton Manning‘s entry into the AFC West division with the Denver Broncos, it also found the Oakland Raiders‘ making some much needed additions to their defense. If Manning returns to the game as his old Super Bowl champion self, the Raiders will need to make huge improvements on the defense if they want to come out on top in the battle against their dreaded rival.

Obviously, this is something that needed to be done regardless of Manning heading to Denver, and general manager Reggie McKenzie is putting a few of the building blocks in place in order to do just that.

While the Raiders lost running back Rock Cartwright to the team across the bay, they’ve signed cornerback Shawtae Spencer, an eight-year veteran with the San Francisco 49ers. Spencer was riddled with injuries in 2011, playing just nine games for San Francisco, but in his first seven years with the team he started in 72, playing in every game in 2009 and 2010.

Spencer worked with the Raiders new defensive coordinator, Jason Tarver, who was a defensive assistant for most of Spencer’s tenure with the team. Over the past eight years Spencer played in 98 games with 72 starts, totaling 11 interceptions, 2.5 sacks and 53 passes defensed.

We’ll have to hope that Spencer is another play who comes into his own wearing the silver and black, if he stays healthy I believe he’ll be a solid addition to Oakland.

The Raiders are also said to be meeting with f ree agent cornerback Tracy Porter. Porter has spent the past three seasons with the New Orleans Saints, working with the Raiders’ new head coach, Dennis Allen during two of them. Porter would be a good man to have in Oakland, and is possibly the best cornerback in the NFL that the Raiders can afford. During Super Bowl XLIV, it was Porter who intercepted Manning’s pass and returned the pick 74 yards for a touchdown, sealing the Saints’ win.

Just last week the Raiders released guard Cooper Carlisle and defensive tackle John Henderson, clearing $7 million in salary off the Raiders’ 2012 books. On Monday, McKenzie decided to bring Carlisle back at a cheaper price, which could mean the recently signed Mike Brisiel goes to left guard while Stefen Wisniewski moves to center.

McKenzie is making some good moves, and I continue to have faith that the Silver and Black will be able to take on and defeat Denver, and come out on top of the AFC West in 2012, even with Manning in the picture.

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.

More from this contributor:

Oakland Raiders’ Fans: Thoughts on Manning’s Move to Denver and the Affect on the Silver and Black

Oakland Raiders’ Legendary Quarterback Jim Plunkett: Thoughts on the Past and the Team’s Future

Oakland Raiders’ Aaron Curry Will Stay a ‘Christ-filled’ Raider, Johnson and Eugene Cut: Fan’s Update

Oakland Raiders’ Fan’s Look: Quarterback Carson Palmer Makes Sacrifices for the Silver and Black

Raiders.com, the official website of the Oakland Raiders is filled with interesting facts and figures about the Silver and Black. Looking back into Raider history, here are the Raiders’ longest plays:

Longest Rushing Plays

92 yards – Bo Jackson – 11/5/89 against Cincinnati

91 yards – Bo Jackson – 11/30/87 in Seattle

89 yards – Kenny King – 12/16/90 against Cincinnati

After four years with the Oakland Raiders, Jackson put up some amazing stats. 2,782 yards rushing with 16 touchdowns.

Longest Passing Plays

99 yards – Jim Plunkett to Cliff Branch – 10/2/83 in Washington

94 yards – George Blanda to Warren Wells – 11/10/68 in Denver

93 yards – Tom Flores to Dobie Craig – 10/20/63 against New York

Aside from reminding the Raider nation that Tom Flores was once a great quarterback, I think these stats show how bad the Raiders need a superstar quarterback. The number four longest pass was from Marc Wilson to Marcus Allen in 1984, but the number five is a 90 yarder from 1962.

Longest Field Goals

63 yards – Sebastian Janikowski – 9/12/11 in Denver

61 yards – Sebastian Janikowski – 12/27/09 in Cleveland

59 yards – Sebastian Janikowski – 12/26/10 against Indianpolis

This category is all about Sebastian Janikowski and I think it shows what an incredible, dominant player he is, within his own position.

Longest Kickoff Returns

104 yards – Ira Matthews – 10/25/79 against San Diego

102 yards – Harold Hart – 9/22/75 in Miami

101 yards – Jacoby Ford – 11/28/10 against Miami

Jacoby Ford is also fourth and fifth on the list with returns of 101 yards in 2011 and a 99 yarder in 2010.

Longest Punt Returns

97 yards – Greg Pruitt – 10/2/83 in Washington

93 yards – Johnnie Lee Higgins – 11/16/08 in Miami

89 yards – Johnnie Lee Higgins – 11/23/08 in Denver

Longest Fumble Returns

104 yards – Jack Tatum – 9/24/72 in Green Bay

96 yards – Charles Phillips – 10/8/78 against Houston

77 yards – Rod Martin – 11/18/84 against Kansas City

Jack Tatum, truly a Raider legend, returned a fumble from inside the Packers’ end zone for the NFL’s longest fumble recovery (the record was tied by another player in 2000).

Longest Interception Returns

102 yards – Eddie Anderson – 12/14/92 in Miami

100 yards – Chris Carr – 10/29/06 against Pittsburgh

98 yards – Rod Woodson – 11/11/02 in Denver

With the fourth longest return in 1984 and the fifth in 1998, I’m surprised we don’t see more long returns from the classic Oakland Raider teams of the 1960s and 70s.

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

More from this contributor:

Oakland Raiders Cut More Players to Make Salary Cap: Fan’s View

Jack Tatum – Oakland Raiders’ Assassin: Fan’s Look

Oakland Raiders’ Other Assassin – George Atkinson: Fan’s Look