What the Hell is Happening in Oakland?

I haven't written much about the Oakland Raiders lately and quite frankly it has been due to the lack of leadership and effort that has been displayed by not only the players, but the coaching staff as well (13 seasons worth). I was a firm believer that the necessary firing of the lop, Dennis Allen was going to provide at least some positive feedback. However, this proved to be feeble and wishful thinking on my end.

I’m not even going to fully recap and provide my commentary on the Raiders most recent performance against Cleveland, because all it would do is rub more salt on my wounds of how disgusted I am with this season’s performance. I  will though comment that I at least thought we were going to see our first win of the season, due to the Browns entering the game with the NFL’s worst-ranked rush defense and the small offensive turnaround that the Raiders started to display in week 6.

Our next game is in Seattle and though the Seahawks aren’t playing nearly as well as last season, they still are a difficult match, especially in their home turf.

Get back to the basics of Raider football and don’t ever incorporate Matt Schaub into play schemes again and we might see at least one win this year.

 

Training Camp News: RB Mike Goodson Rushed to the Hospital

Oakland RB Mike Goodson suffered from a hard helmet to helmet hit from OLB Phillip Wheeler. This just happened about 20 minutes ago. Goodson was taken to the local hospital, via ambulance. Hopefully Goodson is ok. Keep him in your prayers.

Raiders Head Coach Allen reported that Goodson suffered from a neck injury, but has feeling in his major extremities. This is a good sign, but Goodson's final extent of his  injuries has still not been reported.

Goodson was released from the hospital last night and has returned to Napa with his team. Goodson's MRI and CT Scan results were negative; however, it is unknown when Goodson will return to practice.

Wednesday 2012: Oakland Raiders Training Camp

The pads are finally on. Because of this, we can now start talking about the Raiders defense. Rookie DE Jack Crawford tore it up today in Training Camp. He dominated the trenches all day long and made the offensive line look confused. MLB Rolando McClain looked like he'd been working on his agility and is blitzed like an All Team Pro today. McClain is also covering well and is showing impressive ball awareness. It's apparent that McClain is adjusting well to the new defense and is blitzing like and animal. OLB Philip Wheeler performed well today and is proving to be an excellent coverage linebacker. CB DeMarcus Van Dyke is playing well and was shutting down wide receivers all day today. It looks like Van Dyke might secure a starting spot. 

 QB Carson Palmer is showing amazing control of his offense. Though it's only his second season as a Raider, it's apparent that he is adapting into being the key leader to the Raiders offense. Palmer looks a little sluggish today, but it’s more than likely due to arm fatigue, which is always prevalent during training camp. QB Matt Leinart looked well today and it looks like he will be locking up the backup QB position. FB Marcel Reece continues to be a dominate force to the offense. Reece practiced phenomenal today and is continuing to blossom into a key offensive threat.  

  

Tuesday 2012: Oakland Raiders Training Camp

The Raiders took the field today for their second day of training camp. QB Carson Palmer has been on fire today and is showing phenomenal timing with his ever so speedy wide receivers. The Raiders were working on a lot of bootlegs roll outs today, and its obvious that Carson has been working on his footwork this past off season. The player that stood out the most today is FB Marcel Reece. He was a play maker today and showed off his incredible hands. WR Jacoby Ford showed of with his amazing athleticism by making some incredible diving catches. The Raiders first team offensive line remains intact with Veldheer, Carlisle, Wiz, Brisiel, Barnes, 

The practices so far have been pad less, so its difficult to see how the Raiders defense is adapting to the new defensive schemes that have been bestowed by Allen and McKenzie. However, DE Lamarr Houston looks hungry and ready to dominate this year.   

   

Monday 2012: Oakland Raiders Training Camp

Day one of training camp is going well for the Raiders. Quarterback Carson Palmer is throwing tight, accurate passes. This is also the first time that Carson Palmer, RB Darren McFadden and FB Marcel Reece have been in the backfield together. Its a sharp looking trio.

McFadden is looking dangerous and extremely explosive. Wide receiver Eddie McGee is also showing the coaching staff that he came to play. McGee is looking and playing extraordinary and has had some amazing catches. QB Matt Leinart is continuaslly throwing amazing long balls. Though its the first Monday of training camp, Leinart is looking exceptionally well and it is obvious that he worked on a lot of fundamentals this off season.  

I was shocked yesterday when I heard the news that the once Raider legend Steve Wisniewski decided to resign as the assistant offensive line coach. I was so upset that I couldn’t even comment about it until this morning. Even though Wisniewski was only an assistant offensive line coach, he had a lot to offer to the Raiders and his years of being committed to excellence would have been no doubt a necessary advantage for the Raiders offensive line.

I can’t blame Wisniewski for leaving. Coaching in the NFL is extremely brutal. 15 to 17 hour days, 7 days a week can take a toll on anybody; especially somebody that has many positive outside obligations. Wisniewski not only a family man, but is also a minister at the Raiders team Chaplain's Napolean Kaufman's East Bay church.

A large portion of NFL teams do not hire assistant offensive line coaches. Therefore, the Raiders will not be signing one for this upcoming season. Offensive line coach Frank Pollack will continue to coach the Raiders offensive line, but having Wisniewski present would’ve helped the Raiders because Wisniewski could've assisted in technique building and schemes.

Wisniewski was an eight-time Pro Bowler with the Raiders during his career. He joined the coaching staff last year and remained when new coach Dennis Allen took over.

You will be missed.

 
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey pleaded no contest today to a misdemeanor DUI charge. Heyward-Bey was arrested on the Bay Bridge on April 7th.

On April 7th, Heyward-Bey was pulled over at 2 a.m. on the Bay Bridge after he left a nightclub in San Francisco. It was alleged that he was speeding and weaving on the Bay Bridge, which is why he was pulled over. Prosecutors said that Heyward-Bey's blood-alcohol content was .13 percent on scene.

Heyward-Bey agreed to plead no contest to the misdemeanor charge today, so that he would receive three years' probation and three months of DUI classes.

Last season, Heyward-Bey led the Raiders with 64 receptions giving him a total of 965 receiving yards. The Raiders, along with Heyward-Bey, report to Napa this Sunday for their team’s preseason training camp.