The Oakland Raiders’ defensive tackle, Richard Seymour, was not only recognized for his outstanding efforts by being selected for the Pro Bowl yesterday, he was also honored for his exceptional performance on the field in Kansas City in the Raiders victory over the Chiefs on Christmas Eve.

Richard Seymour
Wikimedia Commons

Seymour has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after being responsible for two blocked field goal attempts, the second block forced the game into overtime and prevented the Chiefs from capturing the victory and kept the Raiders playoff hopes alive.

Seymour remarked “I give my teammates and my coaches a lot of credit, they put me in the right position to make plays. I couldn’t be the player that I am without Tommy Kelly and the guys beside me.”

Defensive tackle Kelly is a Pro Bowl alternate and commented on Seymour’s great plays after the Chiefs’ game, “Make a play, make a play, that’s all, and Big Rich [Richard Seymour] made a play.”

Seymour has spent much of the 2011 season playing through a painful knee injury, and would likely have a lot more than the six sacks and 27 tackles on the season if it wasn’t for the injury. Fortunately for the Raider Nation he appears to have recovered just in time. In his 11-year NFL career he has 479 tackles and 54.5 sacks.

The impressive defensive tackle was a big help in the opening game of the season at Denver as well. He sacked the Broncos’ former quarterback Kyle Orton twice, helping his team to a 23-20 victory.

Seymour was traded to Oakland by the New England Patriots in 2009, and in his very first game for the Silver and Black he had two sacks on San Diego Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers. Something tells me he’ll have at least one more on Rivers this coming weekend.

Earlier this year Seymour became the highest paid defensive tackle in the NFL after signing a $30 million two-year contract extension in February. He’s another player that the team’s late owner, Al Davis, considered a priority on the team and he’s definitely earned his keep. Let’s hope for the Raiders sake he has another stand out performance on New Year’s Day. Just believe!

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

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

Shane Lechler
Creative Commons/Commons Wikimedia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More from this contributor:

Oakland Raiders’ Janikowski Nominated for Never Say Never Moment: Fan’s Look

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

Brandon Meyers, Oakland Raiders tight end
Wikimedia Commons

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Fans of the Oakland Raiders feel like we have enough passion to spark the team to a win against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, December 24, the question is, do the players have as much fire and passion as the fans? I’ve heard many comments recently that the team doesn’t have near the heart that the fans in Raider Nation do.

Tyvon Branch
Wikimedia Commons

It’s a legitimate question after three consecutive losses, but I don’t know I’m sure anyone could say it was true without knowing the players personally. We can only hope the players bring everything they’ve got to the field at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas Eve.

Here is a look at the thoughts of the players on the Silver and Black in regard to the battle with the rival Kansas City team.

Offense

Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey said, “It’s big for the NFL and it’s big for us. The NFL set it up just right where you have two division games at the end of the season so we have to be ready to go.”

Quarterback Carson Palmer commented on the Chiefs’ game against the Packers, he said “he believes the Chiefs defensive success against the Packers was the result of execution at all the positions.” Palmer added, “[They] covered the receivers, got pressure on the quarterback, and there was little to no run game. They had a couple nice plays here and there, but they tried to throw the ball on them and it was a tough day. Both corners are really good, really physical, fast. They’re safeties are rangy and they’ve got Tamba Hali on one side and a bunch of good pass rushers around him. So, it’s just a really good unit top to bottom.”

Offensive guard Stefen Wisniewski remarked, “It’s a huge game. You kind of have a little two game playoff here, you have to win them both and we need a little bit of help to get in the playoffs. We’re looking at it like a do-or-die situation with our backs up against the wall and we have to fight these guys for four quarters and get a win.”

Wisniewski will have to work hard to limit the Chiefs’ linebacker Tamba Hali, a fellow former Penn State player. Coach Saunders said that Hali is a very gifted player with tremendous speed.

Tight end Kevin Boss says, “It’s what the NFL is all about, it’s exciting. It’s playing for a playoff berth against a rival such as Kansas City, one of our biggest rivals, so it’s exciting.”

Defense

The man everyone has their eyes on lately is Chuck Bresnahan, defensive coordinator. Bresnahan says, “We have got to come out, stop the run, and then we have got to be very disciplined in our coverage, and step it up a notch and really hold ourselves accountable to make up for last week. The guys understand what is at stake now and not that they haven’t up until this point, but they definitely know what is at stake and I think there is a real attitude chip on the shoulder to make it right.”

Safety Tyvon Branch commented, “It’s great, especially with everybody in the hunt like we are, each game means a little more and a little more. And for one of those games to be a rivalry game is big for us.”

It’s big for Raider fans too. We really want this, there is no question there. Finally, head coach Hue Jackson may have hit the nail on the head when he said, Whether it’s a play that’s two yards or whether it’s a play that’s twenty yards, we got to play consistently for four quarters and finish the game.”

Really, Santa, it’s all I want for Christmas this year. Just win baby!

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

More from this contributor:

Fan’s Look at the Heated Rivalry Between the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs

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Oakland Raiders’ quarterback Jason Campbell seemed to be on his way to leading his team to a winning season this year, until a stroke of bad luck and a hard hit by the Cleveland Browns’ linebackers left him with a broken collarbone in week six.

Oakland Raiders QB Jason Campbell.
Wikimedia Commons

Just the week before the Raiders’ lost their iconic owner, Al Davis, who passed away at the age of 82. To lose Campbell just as things were coming together was not only a blow to the Silver and Black, but to the quarterback’s career in the NFL.

Head coach Hue Jackson was hyped up when he spoke about Campbell just before the start of the season. He was frustrated when reporters continued to ask who his starting quarterback was, and finally remarked in late July, ” You did not ask me that question. He did not ask that question out here today. Does anybody not know who the starting quarterback is of the Raiders? Are you kidding me? Doesn’t he wear No. 8? His name is Jason Campbell. He is the starting quarterback of the Raiders’” period. Any other questions?”

Campbell had an 84.2 quarterback rating and was doing a good job at taking the Raiders back to where they needed to be just before his injury, when unfortunately, fate took Campbell in another direction, and he’s been unable to return to the field while still recovering from the injury.

Now, although the news isn’t too surprising, the San Francisco Chronicle has reported that Campbell will not return at all this season. Jackson had remarked last week that his former starting quarterback was further from recovery than some had thought, so while it certainly isn’t shocking, it leads to a bigger question, and that is, will Campbell ever return as a Raider?

It doesn’t look likely. Coach Jackson has been vague about the situation, stating that they’ll deal with it when Campbell is back at 100%. But after the team traded a first- and -second round pick for quarterback Carson Palmer and Campbell becoming a free agent at the end of the season, it sounds like the injured quarterback will have to find a new team to all home.

Campbell commented that the injury “was very frustrating,” but in this business you have to understand that injuries are a part of it.”

While it’s sad news that he’ll have to start over again next again, I think he’ll do a good job wherever he goes, and he’ll finally get his time to shine in the NFL. Just not as an Oakland Raider.

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

More from this contributor:

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