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.

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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

As speculated, the Oakland Raiders released Kamerion Wimbley on Friday, one year into his $48 million, five-year deal. Wimbley’s agent commented in an email, “We tried to make it work all afternoon, but just too many constraints with (the) Raiders cap situation. Reggie McKenzie is a real pro and we appreciate how he handled it.”

Showing true class, Wimbley tweeted, ” I would like to thank the late Al Davis and the Raider organization for giving me the opportunity to play for the Silver and Black. I will miss Oakland and the great fans of the Raider Nation.”

Wimbley is the seventh player to be cut, with Stanford Routt, Chris Johnson, Kevin Boss, Cooper Carlisle, John Henderson and Hiram Eugene, all released, and the team seems to be shrinking before our eyes.

After all the recent cuts, the Raiders finally signed two free agents on Friday, offensive lineman Mike Brisiel and cornerback Ron Bartell.

Brisiel reportedly received a five-year contract worth almost $20 million and Bartell sealed a one-year deal worth up to $3 million with incentives. With both cornerbacks Routt and Johnson released, Bartell helps fill a rather large gap and could be one of the better moves we’ll see heading into the 2012 season .

Brisiel, on the other hand, will have a lot to live up to with such a lucrative deal. He hasn’t been one of the top guards in the NFL, but there have been many players in the past who’ve reached their potential once they became a part of the Silver and Black.

Bartell played for the Rams for seven seasons, but only got out on the field for one game in 2011 after suffering a neck fracture. The 30-year-old player is said to be one of the most underrated cornerbacks in the NFL and is reportedly back at 100 percent. The former Saint Louis player has eight career interceptions, one interception touchdown, two sacks and 311 tackles.

Bartell commented , “This is the perfect match for me. I know some of these guys and I feel comfortable with what they are doing. I really look forward to the opportunity to playing in Oakland.”

Bartell will be an exciting addition to the Silver and Black as McKenzie and Coach Allen continue to put the pieces of the puzzle for 2012 back together.

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

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Oakland Raiders’ Campbell Heading to the Bears to Be a Backup? Plus More Free Agency News: Fan’s Take

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

While the Raider Nation, the fan community of the Oakland Raiders is strong in the United States, the team maintains quite a presence around the world. Raiders International is the official name for the team’s global outreach efforts and I think it’s fascinating to see how global the sport (and the Raiders) really is.

International Raider Teams

The first thing that surprised me about the Raiders’ international presence was the fact that there’s another Raider team, playing American football, in Austria. The SWARCO Raiders play in the Austrian Football League and proudly wear the Silver and Black.

Websites

The team interacts with their global fanbase through the official Oakland Raiders website, raiders.com, which features original content and translations in Tagalog, Japanese, German, Chinese, Spanish and, of course, English. The team was the first NFL team to create a unique Spanish version of their website, not just translating the English version. And way back in 2005, the team offered original content for German fans with their Raiders auf Deutsch site and campaign.

International Guest Coaches

2011 was the eighth year the Raiders have offered the Raiders International Guest Coach Program, where they bring in coaches from around the world to learn about the team and watch drills and practice at the Raiders’ training camp facility. Three coaches from the SWARCO Raiders came to camp, along with a coach from Mexico.

International Players

NFL Europa (the NFL’s European league) player Maurico Lopez spent 2008 with the team as part of the NFL International Practice Squad Program. In 2005, a Finnish player spent the season with the Raiders.

International Appearances

The Raiders have traveled to visit their fans and have played in other countries. The team played in American Bowls in London, Barcelona, Tokyo and Mexico City.

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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Just days after the Oakland Raiders’ running back and special teams stand-out Rock Cartwright was honored at the Commitment to Excellence, it was reported that he’s headed across the bay to play for the San Francisco 49ers.

It wasn’t Cartwright that wanted to leave, apparently the Raiders didn’t care if he stayed. The veteran player has been in Oakland for only two seasons, but Jerry McDonald of the San Jose Mercury News tweeted this afternoon, “Talked to Cartwright at the banquet in his honor. Made it very clear he wanted to stay. Raiders obviously took a pass.”

Many other comments echoed thoughts that Cartwright was a standout guy, including: # Raiders just lost a true leader and glue guy in Rock Cartwright. The special teams will suffer greatly just for starters.”

It certainly sounds like he will be missed, and the loss is a little disappointing. The 49ers are excited to bring him on, reporting that he’ll bring the versatility that the special team’s player he’s replacing had lacked. Over the past two seasons he was credited with 27 special-teams tackles.

Unfortunately, that’s life in the NFL, but going forward the team will need more leaders on the team that share a similar attitude that Cartwright had.

Free agent Chaz Schilens has also paid a visit to the San Francisco 49ers and is said to be heading out to meet with the New York Jets where his former position coach, Sanjay Lal, now works.

The Raiders are looking to fill a need at cornerback and are said to be meeting with the former St. Louis Rams cornerback Ron Bartell . The 30-year-old played for the Rams for seven seasons, but only got out on the field for one game in 2011 after suffering a neck fracture. Bartell is said to be one of the most underrated cornerbacks in the NFL and is reportedly back at 100 percent.

The question, “Where is Wimbley?” (referring to linebacker Kamerion Wimbley) has still not been answered, although it was expected that we would hear by Friday. I can’t imagine at this point that he’ll return as a Raider in 2012.

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

More from this contributor:

Oakland Raiders’ Cut Carlisle and Henderson and Get a Visit from Texans’ OG Brisiel: Fan’s Take

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

On Friday afternoon, I wrote about the Oakland Raiders’ involvement in an upcoming episode of Lifetime television’s “Coming Home.” The award winning series features surprise reunions of active duty service men and women and their families, and on November 6, the show was shot right on the field at halftime during the game between the Raiders and the Denver Broncos.

November 6 2011 at O.co Coliseum
K.C. Dermody

The organization assisted “Coming Home” in surprising the children of the lifelong fan and military member who had not seen his family in almost a year. I was fortunate to be one of the many in the sold-out crowd that day to watch the emotionally charged scene, and it was truly amazing.

Matt Rogers, who is the host of the program has an enviable job bringing such memorable moments together, and he was kind enough to speak with me about it over the phone this morning. I was also a fan of Rogers when he appeared on American Idol’s season 3, and disappointed when he left a little too soon, but the show turned out to be a catalyst in his career when he realized he wanted to be a television host like Ryan Seacrest.

The 33-year-old has gone on to be a part of several short lived programs, including a CBS primetime reality television show, “There Goes the Neighborhood,” but “Coming Home,” is his dream come true. Being a part of so many touching moments is an incredible thing.

What struck me the most, is that Rogers practically gushes about the Raiders organization. He felt the magic that emanates from the fans and everyone involved with the Silver and Black. He said that he grew up in southern California “following the Rams and the Raiders when both teams were in L.A.,” but didn’t realize what it was all about until that Sunday afternoon in November last season.

“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 told Jeannette Thompson, and this morning Rogers told me, “Amy Trask is so awesome, they were all unbelievable.”

Rogers also became a big fan of wide receiver Jacoby Ford who he says “was a lot of fun,” and “messed around with him a bit.” Ford, who is also one of my favorite current players, will make a special appearance on the “Coming Home” episode shot in Oakland.

There are so many wonderful things that happen behind the scenes that many don’t know about. Oakland Raiders’ players are constantly doing great things for the community, including visiting sick children in the area’s hospitals and being a part of many charity events and fundraisers to help those in need.

I sincerely appreciate the enthusiasm that Rogers has for the team, and for showcasing the truth about the Raiders. There is no doubt that he is a “True Raider fan,” and I’m very proud that he’s a part of Raider Nation.

Don’t forget to spread the word about “Coming Home,” the episode that was shot at O.co Coliseum will be on LIfetime Sunday, March 11 at 10pm/9pm central.

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

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

Oakland Raiders’ an Update: City Approves Plan to Keep Its Sports’ Teams

Oakland Raiders’ Carson Palmer Loves the Pressure and is Excited for 2012: Fan’s Take

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

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While fans were disappointed with the Oakland Raiders loss to the Denver Broncos on November 6, 2011, the lucky members of Raider Nation who were in the stands that afternoon at O.co Coliseum were treated to an extremely touching event on the field, at least partially making up for our disappointment.

Oakland Raiders
K.C. Dermody

At halftime, the score was Raiders 17, Broncos 7, with fans excitedly anticipating a second victory over their AFC West rivals. There was a positive energy throughout the Coliseum at the end of the second quarter, and what happened next made it even more so.

The award-winning LIfetime series, “Coming Home,” features surprise reunions of active duty service men and women and their families, and the surprise that day happened right on the field at O.co Coliseum, in front of a sold-out crowd full of passionate fans wearing silver and black.

The reunion on November 6th featured a serviceman who is also a fan of the Raiders, and the organization assisted in surprising the children of the lifelong fan who had not seen his family in almost a year. It was overwhelmingly emotional, and many had at least a tear in their eye that afternoon. I won’t give away all the details in case you weren’t there to see it in person, and the show will kick off Lifetime’s season on Sunday afternoon, March 11.

Matt Rogers, the show’s host, has an enviable job bringing such memorable moments together. If you’ve been a fan of American Idol, you might remember Rogers from season three. While I can’t recall many of his performances, what stood out for me was his charming personality. He’s obviously been able to use that to his advantage and snag this awesome opportunity that seems to be a perfect fit.

Rogers remarked, “I’m extremely proud of this television show and I’m extremely proud of this episode. What the Oakland Raiders did for our show and what they’re doing for our show, you can’t put a price on that. I could not have picked a better NFL team to team up with for this show. The organization was unbelievable. They opened their doors to us. They literally made the TV show better and made it epic. I believe this is, hands down, our best episode.”

As if fans needed another reason to love the Raiders, it’s always nice to hear the team recognized for who they really are. The entire Raider Nation is one big family that is truly passionate, and compassionate, not only about the game, but their community and beyond. We have many reasons to be proud!

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

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

Oakland Raiders’ an Update: City Approves Plan to Keep Its Sports’ Teams

Oakland Raiders’ Carson Palmer Loves the Pressure and is Excited for 2012: Fan’s Take

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

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

Although I’m an Oakland Raiders fan, I’ve followed Peyton Manning over the last decade and have always felt he was one of the best. As long as the Raiders weren’t battling it out with the Indianapolis Colts, I was rooting for Manning’s team to win. When it was reported on Tuesday that he would be released today, it was hard to swallow.

Peyton Manning
Wikimedia Commons

There are few truly great quarterbacks and Manning is definitely one of them. It feels like the end of an era, and though he spent 14 years with the Colts, it does seem like that ending came a little too soon. After being so loyal to the franchise, and taking them to great heights, saying goodbye this way isn’t the best way to reward him.

On a selfish note, I’ve always wished he could come over to the dark side and wear the silver and black, but at this point the chances of him becoming a Raider are probably about the same as mine for winning the lottery. As long as he didn’t play for an AFC West rival, for my own personal reasons, I’d enjoy continuing to watch him in the NFL, but I believe it’s time that Manning retires.

One of the greatest wide receivers of all-time, Jerry Rice, would like the San Francisco 49ers to persue Manning. He told the Chronicle and Bay Area News Group during an interview yesterday, I think you go for it, you really do… Not knocking what Alex Smith did … but a guy with the knowledge and talent of Peyton Manning, I think you’d take it to a whole different level. If he’s healthy, he’s going to have a chip on his shoulder like crazy. He’s going to be pissed.”

I can see Manning in a 49ers uniform, they’ve had some of the best quarterbacks in history on their team with Joe Montana and Steve Young, but after spending so many years in the blue and white, and achieving what few can hope to achieve in the NFL, is it worth risking further injury?

Manning is a Super Bowl Champion, a four-time NFL MVP, the Colts all-time leader in c areer Wins, passing touchdowns , pass attempts, pass Completions and passing yards, and the list goes on. He’s said to be completely recovered from his neck injury, but once something like that happens he’s at higher risk for further injury, and who knows what the next hard hit could result in.

In addition to being a great football player, Manning seems like a great guy and is obviously very intelligent when it comes to football. He’s also got a beautiful family. Why risk his health when he could move on now to the next stage of his career? Possibly as a quarterbacks coach? I’d be ecstatic to see him help out the Raiders, but whatever happens, I believe he’ll be successful in any endeavor he takes on.

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

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Oakland Raiders’ Carson Palmer Loves the Pressure and is Excited for 2012: Fan’s Take

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

Oakland Raiders’ Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff Doing Great Work to Support At-Risk Youth

Oakland Raiders’ Dennis Allen Has the Right Mindset to Lead the Team to

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

The rumors in regard to the Oakland Raiders and a possible move have been ignited more than ever lately, but for those of us who would like the team to remain in the East Bay, there was some very good news reported on Wednesday by KTVU.com.

Bay Bridge, Oakland
Wikimedia Commons

At the end of the 2011 season, as new general manager Reggie McKenzie was introduced during the early January press conference, owner Mark Davis make some comments that made it sound like a move back to southern California was a pretty good possibility, sparking more rumors about their return back to Los Angeles.

Davis was asked if he was considering a sale of the team, and he stated with passion that he would do no such thing, but when he was asked if the Silver and Black might move to another city, he said, frankly, that the Silver and Black need a new stadium, where ever that may be, including Los Angeles.

Sports writer with the Bay Area News Group, Steve Corkran , even tweeted that he’d consider making a move down south if that was where the Raiders landed. A collective grown could be heard across Raider Nation, at least among the majority of us. While the Raiders have fans across the nation, and even throughout the world, they’ve spent the majority of their 50+ years in the NFL in East Bay. Despite spending 13 years in Los Angeles, they’re true home is in Oakland, and I mean no offense to L.A. area fans who I’m sure are just as passionate as the rest of us.

Getting back to that good news, KTVU reported that the City of Oakland is spending $3.5 million on a development team in order to keep all three of their teams at home, including the Raiders, Athletics and the Golden State Warriors.

Have they been listening to the many fans who have taken the time to email and write letters to the city expressing their concerns about a move? I believe they have. It’s never a good idea to be complacent about something you feel strongly about, and most Raider fans are anything but complacent.

While the proposed “Sports Village” was more than likely just a fantasy without the financing anywhere on the near horizon, Chris Dobbins is leading the newly formed organization “Save Oakland Sports,” a collection of community and business leaders who are aiming to lobby the city and county to not give up on what some might think is a lost cause.

Their efforts make it much more likely that the Raiders will find a new stadium on the same site they’ve called home for the majority of the past half century. The site would also include a few hotels and a retail store, in what sounds like a compromise on the exorbitantly priced Sports Village, and make a long more sense financially in the long run.

Between the excitement over the Raiders finally going in the right direction and the real hope that the Silver and Black will remain where they belong, fans have a lot to smile about this week.

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

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Oakland Raiders’ Carson Palmer Loves the Pressure and is Excited for 2012: Fan’s Take

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

Oakland Raiders’ Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff Doing Great Work to Support At-Risk Youth

Oakland Raiders’ Dennis Allen Has the Right Mindset to Lead the Team to

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

The Oakland Raiders’ new offensive coordinator, Greg Knapp, is so excited to be back on the team he used the world “excited” when speaking to CSNBayArea.com six different times. Knapp was with the team in 2007 and 2008, working with the quite forgettable JaMarcus Russell and head coach Lane Kiffin.

Oakland Raiders
K.C. Dermody

Knapp said he had hoped to return to California but was especially eager to sign on with the new general manager, Reggie McKenzie, and head coach, Dennis Allen.

Knapp remarked, ” There’s a definite positive vibe going on. I was very excited to see what Reggie’s plan was when I came in and initially met with him. He added, “D.A.’s energy is contagious with everybody. The players are feeling it. The guys who have been in the building for a long time—equipment guys, trainers, video guys—are feeling it. It’s neat to be a part of something at the ground level and build this thing.”

His comments are not surprising to me at all. I’ve yet to hear a bad word said about Allen or McKenzie, and in fact, am hearing from everyone about how the Silver and Black are headed in the right direction in 2012.

The most revered quarterback in recent years for the Raiders, Rich Gannon, tweeted in regard to the OC’s hiring recently, ” better situation and opportunity for Knapp and the coaching staff in OAK. It’s a chance to start over and do it the right way.”

A blog over the weekend written by “Al’s Wingman,” summed up the feelings of many within the Raider Nation, writing that it was his first time in being a fan for over two decades that he’s agreed with everything the front office in Alameda is doing. He remarked that Mark Davis, the late Al Davis’ son, is a lot more open and forthright in his comments to the public, and that “t he entire roster is being evaluated in terms of talent equitable to the player’s salary,” noting that this is a first in Raiders’ history that does not factor in the personal taste of the late owner.

There is no doubt that a new positive energy seems to be beaming around the Silver and Black. The former great running back Napoleon Kaufman has noticed as well, tweeting on February 24, ” A lot of news today on new Raiders coach Dennis Allen. I met him last week, this guys serious and I like him. Trust me not all change is bad.”

Although sometimes change is difficult to swallow, as far as the Silver and Black are concerned, I believe the majority of changes taking place are going to take the team, and fans, to greater heights than we’ve seen in decades.

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

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A Look Back at the Oakland Raiders’ Receivers in the 2009 to 2011 Combine and Beyond

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

Oakland Raiders’ Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff Doing Great Work to Support At-Risk Youth

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

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

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

Darren McFadden
Wikimedia Commons

Bo Jackson

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

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

Darren McFadden

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

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

Napoleon Kaufman

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

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

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

More from this contributor:

A Look Back at the Oakland Raiders’ Receivers in the 2009 to 2011 Combine and Beyond

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

Oakland Raiders’ Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff Doing Great Work to Support At-Risk Youth

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

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

At yesterday’s media conference with the Oakland Raiders’ Dennis Allen, the new head coach stated that the NFL Scouting Combine is just as important as ever, despite their lack of picks in the upcoming draft. Allen remarked, “I told the coaching staff the most important thing we can be doing right now is picking players, and making sure we’ve got the right guys on our team. The offensive scheme, the defensive scheme, that’s going to take care of itself.”

Jacoby Ford.
Wikimedia Commons

The Raiders have two picks in the fifth and sixth rounds of the draft, and will also receive compensatory picks due to a loss of a few of their free agents last year.

Oakland’s late owner Al Davis, was known for choosing the players specifically for their speed but both Allen and general manager Reggie McKenzie said that the 40-yard dash speed will only be a consideration between “two guys who are about the same football playing-wise.” Allen also said, “we’re not going to take guys just because they are real fast because that doesn’t correlate to being a good football player.”

Taking a look back at three current receivers on the team, how did they do at the Combine and beyond?

Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey recorded the best time at the Combine in 2009, at 4.3 in the 40. He reportedly was timed at 4.23 during 2006 preseason drills. There were many who questioned the Raiders decision in snagging Heyward-Bey over players like Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin, and in his first two years in the NFL, it looked like he was on his way to becoming a big disappointment. But by the end of 2011, he recorded 64 receptions for 975 yards and four touchdowns, becoming the most improved player on the team. So much for the skeptics, and even fans of rival teams who continue to criticize the move based on his first two seasons and not his third.

At the 2010 Combine, Jacoby Ford ran a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash, and recorded a 6.52 in the 60-meter dash. During his rookie year with the team, Ford brought the Raiders to victory against Kansas City with two miracle catches in the final minutes of the November 2010 game. In 2011, he had an outstanding run in the game against the Cleveland Browns, and was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his great efforts including the incredible 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

The expert analysis of Ford at the Combine said he lacked the ” prototypical size,” and it stated: “r eturn potential is there, but return skills could use some refinement. Despite his track speed, open field running could improve.”

In the 2011 Combine, Denarius Moore ran a 4.45 in the 40-yard-dash, the analysis of the receiver listed several weaknesses, stating that Moore “d oes not possess adequate explosion and quickness,” and “t akes too long to reach top speed and will struggle to gain separation on underneath patterns.”

Moore became one of the best deals of 2011, and was named Rookie of the Week three times over the course of the season. Former h ead coach Hue Jackson called Moore not only the most impressive rookie at training camp, but one of the most impressive of all the players. In the second game of the regular season against the Buffalo Bills he hauled in five passes for 146 yards and scored a touchdown. In week ten, he caught five passes for 123 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Raiders’ 24-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers.

During the all-important must-win game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Eve, Moore caught four passes for 94 yards and scored a touchdown.

The so-called experts are certainly not always right when it comes to their analysis. Who will be a stand-out in 2012? Fans have another six months or so to wait, but there is no doubt that the upcoming season will be an exciting one for Raider Nation.

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

Oakland Raiders’ Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff Doing Great Work to Support At-Risk Youth

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

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The Oakland Raiders’ new head coach Dennis Allen spoke to the media at the 2012 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis today, and provided a few answers to some lingering questions in regard to a few of the players. There has been some speculation as to whether or not Darren McFadden might be traded in return for some much needed draft picks.

Darren McFadden
Wikimedia Commons

Allen answered that question without hesitating, stating that when he was the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos, McFadden was one of the biggest challenges when it came to defeating the Raiders. When asked if the running back was in Oakland’s future plans he adamantly stated, “As far as I’m concerned he is.”

Allen feels that the running back is one of the biggest strengths on the team’s offense, and called both McFadden and Michael Bush the “two-headed monster.”

Allen was also asked about McFadden’s foot injury and stated that it’s much better, and that he’s also been working out quite a bit. He commented, “there is no doubt McFadden will be ready to go when the 2012 season gets underway.” The organization is also looking at injuries from a lot of different aspects in order to determine how they cane be better prevented in the future.

With the emphasis on McFadden and Bush as a team, this could mean that they’ll work hard to keep Bush, although he seemed to put the bigger priority on McFadden. I think the future of the backup running back that rushed for nearly 1,000 yards while filling in for the injured player is still pretty questionable. Allen did not discuss the future of the players who become free agents.

Coach Allen also answered a question about safety Michael Huff’s future in regard to becoming the cornerback in 2012. Before the former head coach Hue Jackson was fired, he stated that he’d planned to move Huff to that position. Allen remarked, “The one thing do I do know about Michael Huff is he’s an extremely good athlete and he has skills athletically of a corner. And so that obviously would be an option for us, but again, we won’t make any decisions along those lines until we know exactly what we got.”

In regard to Rolando McClain, the coach said, “We’re going to give him every opportunity to prove that he’s the type of player that he’s capable of being. I think if he’s willing to come in and work and do the things we ask him to do, he’ll reach that potential.”

Out of everything Allen discussed, probably the biggest question answered was the future of McFadden, and it looks like he is one who is definitely here to stay. If he can stay healthy, I’m certainly with Allen on this one.

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’ Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff Doing Great Work to Support At-Risk Youth

Oakland Raiders’ Tim Brown Passed Over by the NFL Hall of Fame Once Again: Fan Reaction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More from this contributor:

Oakland Raiders’ Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff Doing Great Work to Support At-Risk Youth

Oakland Raiders’ Tim Brown Passed Over by the NFL Hall of Fame Once Again: Fan Reaction

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

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

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

The Oakland Raiders sometimes controversial senior executive, John Herrera, was reported by some as being fired by the Silver and Black, which might make some sense considering his extreme loyalty to the team’s late owner, Al Davis. However, it’s unlikely that Herrera was fired considering that he’ll still be involved with the Raiders working on special projects with the new owner, Al’s son Mark Davis.

Entrance to Oakland Coliseum and the home of the Raiders.
Wikimedia Commons

Herrera has been with the team on and off, though mostly on, for nearly five decades. He started as a ball boy at just 16 years old back in 1963. He went on to work in many capacities for the Raiders including player personnel, scouting, media relations, training camp operations, team travel, stadium negotiations, community relations, security and even one season as a member of the coaching staff.

Perhaps Herrera’s loyalties to Davis may have blinded him from reality a bit in the end. When the Raiders’ last great quarterback, Rich Gannon, offered to help the team at the end of the 2009 season after seven years of failing, Herrera snapped back at Gannon and told him that it was him that needed help. Probably not the smartest move.

In any case, Herrera’s official statement makes it sound like a mutual semi-retiring. He commented, “At this point in my career and after careful thought and consideration, I have decided to take a break,” said Herrera. “I’ve had a great run, 35 years over three tours of duty, and have been privileged to work in every area of the organization. I’ve enjoyed the whole ride and cherish my relationships with the Davis family, players, coaches and front office staff. I have developed lifelong friendships with people that have come through the organization and my time with the Silver and Black has exceeded my wildest expectations.”

Herrera obviously has a wealth of knowledge behind him in regard to the team despite some of his rather boneheaded moves, and I think it makes sense that he’s not completely severing ties with the Raiders.

Willie Brown, who was a cornerback for the Raiders for 13 seasons, from 1967 to 1978, and a coach from 1979 to 1988, has been working as an administrator for the team since 1995 and will continue on with the team. He’s b een in charge of “squad development” and helped the coaching staff, but will remain in a “redefined” role, though it hasn’t been revealed what that role will be.

If there was any truth to the rumor that Mark Davis wanted to get rid of anyone and everyone that had been involved when his father was there, it’s unlikely that either Brown or Herrera would stay, in any capacity. I think that one can now be put to rest. Davis and McKenzie are doing what they need to do to get the Raiders back to excellence, and that’s all that matters.

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 Fan: Keeping Up with the Changes, CB Brandon Underwood Signed, John Herrera Retires

Oakland Raiders’ Reggie McKenzie Not Wasting Time, Cut Stanford Routt: Fan Perspective

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

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