2012 was supposed to be a season full of hope for the Oakland Raiders, but instead it turned into a colossal failure.After back-to-back eight-win seasons, the Raiders sit at four wins coming into Week 16 and are sure to lock up a top-five draft pick.Both the offense and defense have underperformed greatly, and the proud Oakland franchise is having a difficult time adjusting to the new culture in town.With the first year under the Reggie McKenzie-Dennis Allen era nearly in the books, let's see where each coach's job security stands.Begin Slideshow
Is there ever a season where the Oakland Athletics’ farm system isn’t absolutely loaded? Headed into the 2012 season, power-hitting outfielder Michael Choice ranked as the team’s top prospect and was beginning to heat up when a hit-by-pitch resulted in a broken hand after the All-Star break. The A’s system was also highlighted by the meteoric rise of right-hander Dan Straily from organizational arm to legitimate pitching prospect. The 23-year-old led all minor league pitchers in strikeouts (190 in 151 innings) at the time of his call-up, and he logged nearly 40 innings over the final two months of the ...
After trading shortstop Cliff Pennington to Arizona for outfielder Chris Young and losing Pennington's eventual successor Stephen Drew in free agency to the Boston Red Sox, the Oakland A's once again took to the international market to fill a void.One year after striking gold with the signing of Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes to a four-year contract, A's general manger Billy Beane filled the hole at shortstop with the signing of Japanese infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima to a two-year, $6.5 million contract according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.Slusser also reported that the A's had come close to a trade ...
The Oakland Raiders defense had a shutout on Sunday. I’d understand if you didn’t believe it, but you can take a look at the official game book just to verify. The Raiders didn’t allow a single point, after allowing 30.9 points per game over the first 13 games of the season. Oakland’s defense has been one of the worst units in the entire league, and that’s why a shutout came as a surprise—even if it was against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs came into the game averaging 15 points per game, and the Raiders allowed the Chiefs to score ...
Even though the Oakland Raiders are coming off a 15-0 shutout over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15, the defense has still been a major disappointment this year.Oakland is 21st against the run and 27th against the pass. Not good at all.The Raiders need major work on their defense next season, and luckily for them, this year's draft is loaded with defensive talent.Let's take a look at five picks the Raiders should entertain when they draft in April.Begin Slideshow
The Oakland Raiders' recent six-game slide was difficult to watch, regardless of whether you are a fan of the franchise. Apparently, things were so bad, that a little divine intervention was in order.During the Raiders half-ending drive against the Kansas City Chiefs, the offense received a helping hand from an unlikely source: a pigeon.The wayward bird finds himself amongst the Chiefs secondary, and isn't fazed by all the large men thundering around him. He just keeps on pigeon-ing around and doing bird things.As Oakland continues its drive, the sky-rat chills out near the line of scrimmage. After one play, he ...
Any time a defense pitches a shutout, the team deserves some credit.If there were ever a time to discredit the performance, however, it is when it comes against the 2012 Kansas City Chiefs.After weeks and weeks of abysmal football, Oakland Raiders fans were treated to a brand of football that was just about a half-point above abysmal this week during their 15-0 win over the lowly Chiefs.For a team that was badly in need of some positive momentum, any improvement would have been welcome.As the Black Hole celebrates the win, however, we all need to remember exactly who it was ...
The Oakland Raiders have a lot of work to do this offseason, and it starts with the 2013 NFL draft.In general manager Reggie McKenzie's first offseason with the team, his hands were essentially tied due to a tough salary cap and very few draft picks. In the 2013 draft, the Raiders will have more selections, as well as a first-round pick for the first time since 2009.For the Raiders, a team with plenty of holes to fill, the best use of that top-10 selection will be in a trade down. That way, they can attempt to fill in some missing ...
The Oakland Athletics have reportedly taken to the international free-agent market to fill their void at shortstop.CBS' Jon Heyman had the news (via CBS' Matt Snyder):The Oakland Athletics have filled their hole at shortstop, as they've signed Hiroyuki Nakajima out of Japan, CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reports. The A's have issued a press release saying there will be a major announcement Tuesday, so that's likely when they'll officially announce the deal.San Francisco Chronicle reporter Susan Slusser made a note regarding the contract details:
It's two years for Nakajima at $6.5 million, and a third year option. #Athletics— Susan Slusser ...
For the past two seasons the Oakland Raiders’ defense has been one of the worst in the league and a shutout of any team seemed impossible after allowing 30.9 points per game over the first 13 games. Thankfully for the Raiders, the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense has often been a slump buster for opposing defenses this season. The Chiefs came in averaging just 15 points per game and that was with the services of star wide receiver Dwayne Bowe.The conditions were right with Bowe out and the Raiders blanked the Chiefs, 15-0. The defensive effort gives the Raiders something to ...