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Archive for March, 2015
You can expect two things from the Oakland Raiders’ draft plan: a high-selection prospect out of a smaller less celebrated football program and a curveball against conventional wisdom. Reggie McKenzie has shown a track record of draft-day risks and due diligence on under-the-radar prospects with potential. Oakland has selected four prospects from non-powerhouse football programs within the first three rounds of the last two drafts. It’s clear the Raiders’ scouts hit the ground and gather a ton of research—it has paid off with the emergence of Derek Carr, Sio Moore and Khalil Mack. It shouldn’t be hard to envision Ali Marpet as another ...
The Oakland Raiders didn't make a ton of splashy free-agent moves this offseason, with a lot of money to spend. How will the Raiders' free-agent signings pan out? Will they boom or bust in Oakland? Watch as Adam Lefkoe and Scott Bair of CSN Bay Area discuss the Raiders' free-agent moves in the video above.Read more Oakland Raiders news on BleacherReport.com
We’re a month away from the NFL draft, and the Oakland Raiders should be putting the finishing touches on their big boards round by round.  Undoubtedly, the first pick will be intriguing. Will it be a wide receiver? Which wide receiver? Or will a defensive player become the first selection for the third straight year in Oakland? Drafts are measured on player impact. Organizations draft for the present and the future with the present emphasized in the earlier rounds. For the purposes of this particular mock draft, we’ll focus on prospects who can contribute significantly right away with less focus on later potential. The ...
With pro days in full swing, the Oakland Raiders have plenty of new information to begin refining their big board as the draft draws nearer. The Raiders have the fourth overall pick, and they can't afford to miss with this selection. But for a team with as many needs as Oakland has, every pick is going to be equally important. The scouting process between now and the draft is going to be crucial.  This time is just as important for the players as they get their final opportunities to separate themselves from the rest of pack at their respective positions. While some ...
The Oakland Raiders have signed 11 free agents this offseason. Even though they weren’t able to sign defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh or wide receiver Randall Cobb, they did manage to bring in good players in their primes. Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton’s addition was the only head-scratcher. He’s an upgrade over Miles Burris and he’s just 28, but at $6 million per year over the next three seasons, the Raiders need him to be more than just an incremental upgrade. The Raiders need Lofton to be a very good middle linebacker. Of course, if any brain trust in the league knows how what ...
A successful season for the Oakland Raiders must be spearheaded by a blend of rookies, sophomores and transitional players. According to ESPN reporter Bill Williamson, the Raiders have signed a league-high 10 players via free agency. Furthermore, Oakland still has some vital roster spots to fill headed into the draft, specifically at wide receiver, defensive end and guard. As for the players currently on the roster, Trent Richardson has the highest potential for a breakout season. Ironically, at a time running backs are said to be devalued and players like Steven Jackson are lobbying to "save the running back," per USAtoday.com writer Nina ...
The Oakland Athletics 2015 season is upon us, with not too much changing during spring training. A few players were injured, a few others stood out, and some who were expected to do well floundered. All three of these occurrences should switch a thing or two up, but overall, the team is who we thought they were. Of course, there is still a week of preseason baseball, so additional changes could be made. But for now, let's take a look at what's happened so far and preview the rotation, bullpen and lineup now that answers are a bit clearer.Begin Slideshow
The Oakland Raiders have been one of the busiest teams in free agency with a total of 11 free-agent signings. Now that the bulk of the team's free-agent moves have been made, the question is: Which of these players will have the biggest impact? The modus operandi for general manager Reggie McKenzie was clearly different this year. While in the previous years he opted for veterans (re: old guys) and anyone he could actually afford, he made this year's additions with an eye toward the future. No player on this list is older than 28 years old. He also focused on the defense. ...
The Oakland Raiders may have a franchise quarterback in Derek Carr, but it’s too early to anoint him after an up-and-down rookie season. It’s also far too early to give up on Carr, as the Raiders did a poor job surrounding him with talent. Carr flashed enough potential to lead the Raiders in 2015, but anything beyond that will depend on his performance. That’s not only fair, but it acknowledges the reality of the situation on both sides. Certain red flags exist in Carr’s game, which is why a recent ESPN Insider article suggested the Raiders should draft Marcus Mariota in 2015. ...
The Oakland Raiders had an active beginning to free agency, and the moves made give hope for a much-improved 2015 season. The Raiders have managed to fill some needs and add depth to the roster, but how do their new pieces fit? Were the upgrades worth the cash? In a detailed analysis of the Raiders' free-agent moves, each highlighted transaction will be evaluated from A (Excellent) to F (Very Poor). Scheme fit, projected impact and contract worth in ratio to production are the criteria used to assess each transaction.Begin Slideshow