The A's tried all offseason to replace Kevin Kouzmanoff in the lineup and on the field.I was in the minority at the time of fans that wanted Kouzmanoff to be given another chance. I felt that it was not fair to judge him based on one season in which he was adjusting to a new league and batting in a place in the lineup that were not suited to his game.My thought was that he would improve dramatically this season, and even if he did not he would still provide the A's with solid defense at the hot corner.Wow was ...
Hello, and welcome to the second (and quite late) edition of my Oakland Raider 2011 season preview.Between family, Easter and recent legal wranglings NFL style, it's been tough to get back to it, but enough excuses. Without further ado, I bring you games five, six, seven and eight of the Oakland Raiders' 2011 season. This is going forward on the assumption that the Raiders beat the Broncos and the Bills, and lose to the Jets and the Patriots in the first four, making them 2-2 going into the second quarter of the season.It's not the result that will make them weary ...
It's a very good question.One that we probably won't be able to answer for a few more years.The original three aces—Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson and Barry Zito—combined for a career record of 275-144 while members of the Oakland Athletics. Together they led the A's to the playoffs from 2000-2003 and had the A's within a Jeremy Giambi slide of the ALCS and a possible World Series in 2001.The current/new big three...well, they aren't quite as accomplished. Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson and Gio Gonzalez are currently the same ages that Mulder, Zito and Hudson were in 2001: 23, 23 and 25. ...
The activation on Monday of relief pitcher Michael Wuertz from the 15-day DL, which sent pitcher Bobby Cramer down to Triple-A Sacramento, is just the beginning of what will be some interesting roster decisions by the Oakland A’s in the near future. The A’s next roster move appears to be the activation of their closer, Andrew Bailey, who has been out since spring training with a forearm strain. MLB.com reported on Tuesday that Bailey is steadily progressing, having thrown a 35-pitch bullpen session. Manager Bob Geren said Bailey would soon start throwing breaking balls and is “moving in the right ...
Have the Oakland Raiders had "critical years" when their wins are less than their losses?
The answer is, yes.
There were critical years in 1981, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. This list identifies the years when the Oakland Raiders lost more games than they won, from 1967 to 2009.
Looking at the earlier years we see the following in wins, losses, and ties:
Year Wins Losses Ties Ratio
1966
AFL
Oakland Raiders
8
5
1 8/5
1965
AFL
Oakland Raiders
8
5
1 8/5
1964
AFL
Oakland Raiders
5
7
2 5/7
1963
AFL
Oakland Raiders
10
4
0 10/4
1962
AFL
Oakland Raiders
1
13
0 1/13
1961
AFL
Oakland Raiders
2
12
0 2/12
1960
AFL
Oakland Raiders
6
8
0 6/8
My method of analysis labels a year "critical" when the losses exceed the wins. Hence, ...
With the possibility of losing cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and safety Michael Huff to free agency, the likelihood of the Oakland Raiders using their second round pick—No. 48 overall—on a cornerback seems to be the trendy pick among mockers and experts. Names such as Colorado’s Jimmy Smith and Miami’s Brandon Harris have been mentioned as possibilities.
Of course, the fan favorite around the Bay Area has been Penn State guard Stefen Wisniewski. The nephew of former Raiders offensive lineman Steve Wisniewski would fill an obvious need on the O-line.
Still, the Raiders are the only team in league without a first-round pick, which ...
The Oakland A’s were embarking upon their fourth straight postseason appearance in 2003 when Michael Lewis’ Moneyball exalted their general manager, Billy Beane, and the revolutionary idea of applying research and analysis to a game traditionally conceived as a business of intangibles and observation. Beane was hailed as a genius and a revolutionary, building baseball teams that outperformed other clubs despite maintaining a fraction of their payroll. Beane also developed his share of critics—from baseball fans who think you must spend the most money on the best players to win championships, to traditionalists who find it absurd that statistical analysis and ...
The Oakland Raiders' best player, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, is a free agent. If he leaves like many expect, the Raiders will have a significant need at cornerback.Aqib Talib is the much-talented, yet troubled cornerback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was currently arrested on suspicion of shooting a weapon at his sister's boyfriend, but many expect him to serve only probation for the offense.Once the labor dispute is settled, Tampa Bay is expected to cut ties with Talib. With recent legal troubles that include numerous physical fights, Talib isn't expected to have much of a market.The Raiders, however, have famously make ...
Why do I cheer for the Oakland Raiders? There are many reasons. One of those reasons is that I have known several Raider players, and they were hell-raisers on the field and kind off the field.
Hue Jackson wants the Raiders to return to "The Bully" persona. This means he wants, in my opinion, a team that is tough, fearless, decisive and hard-hitting. Let's get ready for " smash-mouth" football in 2011.
Well, sometimes the old-timers I knew and went to college with were dangerous and the defensive players like Winston Hill of the New York Jets, and Ernie Holmes of the Pittsburgh Steelers were ...
Al Davis has had plenty of solid draft picks in recent years and has had his share of misses as well. Davis loves speed, size and strength and that has proven to be a weakness at times.Davis wants his guys no matter what anyone else thinks of him. If a player impresses with his speed or performance in the NFL Combine, they could find themselves in an Oakland Raiders uniform.Let's take a look at five bizarre moves the Oakland Raiders can do on draft day. Begin Slideshow