2014 Oakland Raiders Regular Season Thread (1 Viewer)

[Raiderfan32904]

Encouraging is the news that Watson is already rolling with the ones at RT. Hopefully he can stick. I know it's early, but I'd be surprised to see Barnes as our opening day LG. You have to figure Jackson will eventually take over. The line has a lot of versatility, so injuries are likely going to shake up the lineup anyway. I'm still not sold on Penn at LT, but hoping I'm wrong about him.

 

[Raider Nation]

14-2 or bust, IMO.

 

[Chaka]

14-2 or bust, IMO.

You predicting the score of their first loss already?

 

[RaiderBones]

Raiders showing interest in Jermichael Finley?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000355969/article/jermichael-finley-draws-interest-from-raiders-steelers

 

[massraider]

The CB position is quietly looking a lot, LOT better than last year:

http://cover32.com/raiders/2014/06/05/raiders-camp-battles-to-watch-cornerback/

The Oakland Raiders enter camp with a mixed bag of youth and experience at the cornerback position but both groups have questions to be answered long before any of them see game time. The competition to start at the coveted two cornerback positions will be fierce.

In 2013 the Raiders started off the season with decent coverage in the secondary with veterans Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter but their true colors emerged down the stretch. D.J. Hayden’s rookie season did not go as planned either. The 12th overall pick in the 2013 draft only played in a little over half the season after suffering a sports hernia. As the Raiders complete week two of OTAs they have nowhere to go but up this season according to their league-worst -61.4 pass coverage grade by profootballfocus.com (PFF).

The race for starting spots seems to be between Hayden and the two veteran newcomers from across the bay, Tarell Brown and fellow first-round corner Carlos Rogers. Both players have seven-plus years under their belts and have no intentions of sitting very often.

Rogers, the 9th overall pick in 2005 has signed a one year deal worth $2.5 million according spotrac.com. He started all 16 games in 2013 for the San Francisco 49ers49ers49ers, 12 games in 2012 and 11 games in 2011. According to PFF he played in 1068 snaps (led team DB) and had an overall grading of -3. Some say he has lost a step in coverage but he is still an upgrade from the departed Jenkins and Porter. He looks to be the front runner for the starting right cornerback position and will hopefully impart some wisdom on Hayden and the newly drafted defensive backs.

Brown also comes over from the 49ers after a decent season. In his 8th season in the NFL Brown still has a ton to offer the Raiders. He graded out at 4.4 overall and 1.0 in pass coverage on PFF and has played in 13-plus games in each season of his career. According to spotrac.com he is also on a one year deal worth slightly more than Rogers at $3.5 million. Both players will be unrestricted free agents in 2015 and have a lot of motivation in 2014 as they play for what might be the last big contracts of their careers.

Hayden likely will start camp as the number one left cornerback in front of Brown but he is almost as “green” as the rookies on the roster. He missed much of his rookie year off-season due to his life-saving surgery and missed the second half of the season with the before mentioned sports hernia. This week it was also reported that he was in a walking boot due to a “minor” ankle sprain. For a franchise with recent first round draft busts any injuries to Hayden are now becoming big stories. He must prove his worth this year. Both Brown and the drafted rookies are hungry for the starting role.

Rounding out the cornerback position is the recently signed rookies T.J. Carrie, Keith McGill and third-year, former buckeye Chimdi Chekwa. Also special teamer Taiwan Jones is always looking to improve and increase his playing time.

McGill is by far the most impressive physical specimen at the position. He towers over the others at 6-3 and 211 pounds. He is a former safety and represents the new, bigger sized corner for today’s NFL. He will be fun to watch and it will be interesting to see if his speed can match his physicality.

Carrie has made a splash in rookie camp and OTAs and hopefully will continue to push the competition moving forward. The Bay-Area native is right at home and has all the motivation in the world to make the team and get playing time.

Lastly, Chekwa got some playing time in 2013 after his first two years in the league were nothing more than roster depth and practice squad time. The 6-foot, 194 pound defensive back will look to use his experience with the organization to his advantage early in camp to climb the depth chart.

Cornerback in the NFL is an island and a highly visable one at that. None of these players will be able to hide behind their name or their draft position. The best man will get the job and after an embarrassing season in the secondary the Raiders must find consistent cover men to keep points off the opponent’s board. This competition will be one to watch all the way up until September.

You can follow Sam Cowhick on Twitter: @SamCowhick

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

Raiders showing interest in Jermichael Finley?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000355969/article/jermichael-finley-draws-interest-from-raiders-steelers

Would rather us show some interest in Andre Johnson (as improbable as it is that he would be traded).

 

[johnadams]

Raiders showing interest in Jermichael Finley?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000355969/article/jermichael-finley-draws-interest-from-raiders-steelers

Would rather us show some interest in Andre Johnson (as improbable as it is that he would be traded).

Because the championship window is closing?

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

Raiders showing interest in Jermichael Finley?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000355969/article/jermichael-finley-draws-interest-from-raiders-steelers

Would rather us show some interest in Andre Johnson (as improbable as it is that he would be traded).

Because the championship window is closing?

That's actually another reason why it's unlikely -- would imagine AJ wants to be on a team that has some shot to get him a ring.

But he's worked well with Schaub (at least before last year), Raiders have space to pay for AJ's contract, solidifies the WR corps so we don't have to worry about the need for one of Moore, Streater and Homes to bear the burden of stepping up, etc.

AJ leaving Houston -- and especially for the Raiders -- is as unlikely as the Raiders winning the Lombardi trophy this year. Just surprised that in all the whispers about Andre, really hadn't heard the Raiders come up at all in a team that might be interested.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000356437/article/derek-carr-to-push-matt-schaub-for-raiders-qb-job

Carr to push Schaub for starting job?

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000356437/article/derek-carr-to-push-matt-schaub-for-raiders-qb-job

Carr to push Schaub for starting job?

While I think this is more of a ploy to motivate, having Carr be ready to start as early as October is a champagne problem to have.

 

[Tool]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000356437/article/derek-carr-to-push-matt-schaub-for-raiders-qb-job

Carr to push Schaub for starting job?

not really a shock. carr drafted pretty high, schaub's in decline. No different than bridgewater/ Cassell when you think about it.

 

[RC94]

How do you guys think the WR depth chart will shake out? Seems like Jones is #1 and then...?

 

[LawFitz]

Streater/Holmes/Jones 1a/b/c until/if one of them clicks with the QBs or injury attrition takes hold.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

I think the brass sees that the WR group needs to get better and brought in Jones and Little to up the level of competition. I think Jones is an early favorite for WR1, but not locked in stone. If Moore becomes more consistent it wouldn't surprise me to see him as the top dog. Personally I think Streeter is the safest bet to produce with Holmes as a sleeper prospect for a break out year.

Of course the group's value hinges on getting solid play from the QB position...

 

[Chaka]

Funny that Moore is now an afterthought is so many people's mind.

 

[RaiderBones]

Funny that Moore is now an afterthought is so many people's mind.

Moore who?

 

[massraider]

Funny that Moore is now an afterthought is so many people's mind.

Frankly, I still think he gets a bum rap, and has shown more 'special' than any of these other guys.

 

[massraider]

OTA's started again today, everyone there, Burnett, Tuck, Jones and Hayden not practicing (Engage Raider fan Hayden hand-wringing now).

 

[RaiderBones]

Funny that Moore is now an afterthought is so many people's mind.

Frankly, I still think he gets a bum rap, and has shown more 'special' than any of these other guys.

In my opinion Moore needs to show more consistency. He will look great for a few games and then disappear for a few.

 

[massraider]

Funny that Moore is now an afterthought is so many people's mind.

Frankly, I still think he gets a bum rap, and has shown more 'special' than any of these other guys.

In my opinion Moore needs to show more consistency. He will look great for a few games and then disappear for a few.

His numbers side-by-side to Streater seem pretty similar on a week-to-week basis.

http://football11.myfantasyleague.com/2014/player?L=17749&P=10388&DISPLAY_TYPE=stats&START_WEEK=1&END_WEEK=16&P=10955

No way to know for sure, but one hopes that with better QB play, the WRs lack of consistency might disappear.

 

[RaiderBones]

Funny that Moore is now an afterthought is so many people's mind.

Frankly, I still think he gets a bum rap, and has shown more 'special' than any of these other guys.

In my opinion Moore needs to show more consistency. He will look great for a few games and then disappear for a few.

His numbers side-by-side to Streater seem pretty similar on a week-to-week basis.

http://football11.myfantasyleague.com/2014/player?L=17749&P=10388&DISPLAY_TYPE=stats&START_WEEK=1&END_WEEK=16&P=10955

No way to know for sure, but one hopes that with better QB play, the WRs lack of consistency might disappear.

The Raiders coaches have been saying for a couple of years now that Moore lacks attention to detail and has concentration lapses.

Other then week 17 Moore pretty much disappeared after week 9. Between not playing well and being injured for 3 games. It has been his story since he got here. He will play great for a stretch and then disappear for a stretch.

Moore is a free agent after this season. I would not be shocked if McKenzie moves on from Moore and spend the money on a free agent WR next offseason or the Raiders could draft a top WR as well.

Top Free agent WR's in 2015:

Roddy White

Wes Welker

Reggie Wayne

Jeremy Maclin

Michael Crabtree

Jordy Nelson

Demaryius Thomas

Dez Bryant

Torrey Smith

Randall Cobb

Cecil Shorts

 

[Chaka]

Hayden may be out until training camp.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

Funny that Moore is now an afterthought is so many people's mind.

Frankly, I still think he gets a bum rap, and has shown more 'special' than any of these other guys.

In my opinion Moore needs to show more consistency. He will look great for a few games and then disappear for a few.

His numbers side-by-side to Streater seem pretty similar on a week-to-week basis.

http://football11.myfantasyleague.com/2014/player?L=17749&P=10388&DISPLAY_TYPE=stats&START_WEEK=1&END_WEEK=16&P=10955

No way to know for sure, but one hopes that with better QB play, the WRs lack of consistency might disappear.

The Raiders coaches have been saying for a couple of years now that Moore lacks attention to detail and has concentration lapses.

Other then week 17 Moore pretty much disappeared after week 9. Between not playing well and being injured for 3 games. It has been his story since he got here. He will play great for a stretch and then disappear for a stretch.

Moore is a free agent after this season. I would not be shocked if McKenzie moves on from Moore and spend the money on a free agent WR next offseason or the Raiders could draft a top WR as well.

Top Free agent WR's in 2015:

Roddy White

Wes Welker

Reggie Wayne

Jeremy Maclin

Michael Crabtree

Jordy Nelson

Demaryius Thomas

Dez Bryant

Torrey Smith

Randall Cobb

Cecil Shorts

Good post. Dem Thomas?!?!? Yummy!

I got the feeling the Raider staff really soured on DM about the middle of last season. On the field Moore is very inconsistent and does not make the tough catches. Meanwhile I see Streeter going over the middle and making the tough catches. I agree that if Moore has a duplicates his 2013 effort he will not be a part of the team next year.

 

[RaiderBones]

Funny that Moore is now an afterthought is so many people's mind.

Frankly, I still think he gets a bum rap, and has shown more 'special' than any of these other guys.

In my opinion Moore needs to show more consistency. He will look great for a few games and then disappear for a few.

His numbers side-by-side to Streater seem pretty similar on a week-to-week basis.

http://football11.myfantasyleague.com/2014/player?L=17749&P=10388&DISPLAY_TYPE=stats&START_WEEK=1&END_WEEK=16&P=10955

No way to know for sure, but one hopes that with better QB play, the WRs lack of consistency might disappear.

The Raiders coaches have been saying for a couple of years now that Moore lacks attention to detail and has concentration lapses.

Other then week 17 Moore pretty much disappeared after week 9. Between not playing well and being injured for 3 games. It has been his story since he got here. He will play great for a stretch and then disappear for a stretch.

Moore is a free agent after this season. I would not be shocked if McKenzie moves on from Moore and spend the money on a free agent WR next offseason or the Raiders could draft a top WR as well.

Top Free agent WR's in 2015:

Roddy White

Wes Welker

Reggie Wayne

Jeremy Maclin

Michael Crabtree

Jordy Nelson

Demaryius Thomas

Dez Bryant

Torrey Smith

Randall Cobb

Cecil Shorts

Good post. Dem Thomas?!?!? Yummy!

I got the feeling the Raider staff really soured on DM about the middle of last season. On the field Moore is very inconsistent and does not make the tough catches. Meanwhile I see Streeter going over the middle and making the tough catches. I agree that if Moore has a duplicates his 2013 effort he will not be a part of the team next year.

I agree, I personally don't have anything against Moore, it's just a feeling that I'm getting from the coaching staff like you said that they have "soured" on him a bit and he may not be part of the Raiders future plans at WR.

This is an observation from today's OTA's:

8. The offense seemed flat in practice and receivers Denarius Moore and Andre Holmes, in particular, had some bad drops, while the quarterbacks also seemed off target at times. http://espn.go.com/blog/oakland-raiders/post/_/id/4741/ten-raiders-otas-observations

 

[massraider]

http://www.csnbayarea.com/raiders/khalil-mack-has-motor-thats-relentless

Khalil Mack is a powerful pass rusher. That’s tough to see during OTA sessions that prohibit pads and hard contact, meaning the rookie linebacker’s best tool remains in the shed.

Largely left with technique and agility, Mack still finds ways to shine. Coaches have lauded his talent and work ethic. His veteran peers, who can often be tough to impress, are signing similar praise.

If extremely early indications are worth anything, this kid could be pretty good.

“I see signs,” left tackle Donald Penn said. “In between snaps, he’s in (veteran defensive end) Justin Tuck’s ear. Khalil’s a special athlete. I can tell from some of his moves and the way he can put his foot in the ground and change directions, for him to be doing that at defensive end, he moves like a defensive back. It’s crazy for a guy that size to be doing that.”

The 6-foot-3, 261-pound athlete received high praise before being selected No. 5 overall, and the Raiders are now seeing this talent in real time. It’s been impressive to many, especially with a relatively refined pass-rush ability for a rookie.

“His movements (have been impressive),” free safety Charles Woodson said. “I’ve watched him a couple of times come off the edge, and he’s a guy that can bend at the waist, he can get low. He can get under tackles if he’s going around the edge. He’s quick enough to where he can get a guy in space coming off the edge. He can make movements in or out and go either way, and he seems to be put together pretty well, so we know he has some strength.”

There are several tests left to pass, through training camp and into the regular season. Mack’s teammates believe he’ll pass.

“It’ll be great to see him in action when it really goes down,” Woodson said. “We all have high hopes for him, because he’s only going to make us better as team. I look forward to playing alongside of him.”

Penn says it’s clear Mack is “working his butt off” during this offseason program despite being asked to wear several hats. He’s played strongside linebacker in the base defense, with a lineman’s responsibilities in the nickel.

“When you get a young kid in there like that, that really has that determination to want to be great,” Penn said, “and I think he’s just going to make that front four, that third-down defense, tough on opposing teams.

“He’s going to have a lot of sacks late in the down. He has a motor that’s relentless. As a tackle, you have to stay on him until you hear the whistle or hear the crowd cheer.”

 

[massraider]

Brandon Flowers released. I would be surprised if he wouldn't be one of our top 4 corners if we were to kick his tires.

 

[RaiderBones]

Vic Tafur ‏@VicTafur 2m
Streater, Little standing out among WRs as #Raiders mini-camp starts http://blog.sfgate.com/raiders/2014/...nicamp-starts/ …

Streater, Little standing out among WRs as mini-camp starts
Posted on Tuesday, June 17 at 12:12pm | By Vic Tafur

The Raiders start their three-day mini-camp later today, and so far in the first three weeks of offseason practices, all the receivers have looked pretty good. “They’re a year better and a year more comfortable,” offensive coordinator Greg Olson said.

Olson, who told the Chronicle last week that rookie quarterback Derek Carr is even better than the Raiders thought, said that Rod Streater has stood out and that newcomer Greg Little has been a nice surprise.

“Rod Streater has gotten better every week that he’s been here, just works hard and has gotten a little bigger as well,” Olson said. “Greg Little has done a really nice job. I guess there were some questions about his work ethic, but I like the way he has come in and really attacked it. He’s been very consistent catching the ball every day.”

Little, 25, was cut by the Browns after a 41-catch, 465-yard season where he again had a problem with drops.
While the Raiders are rotating receivers right now, and Dennis Allen has shrugged off any talk of depth charts, observers say that James Jones, Streater and Andre Holmes are ahead of Denarius Moore, who started last year.

Holmes came on at the end of last season and the coaches really like his height (6-foot-4) and his ability to high-point catches. His 366 yards over the final five games ranked 15th among all NFL receivers.

Moore, meanwhile, has flashed big-play potential but caught only 33 passes for 618 yards in 13 games last season, his third. He had a couple of loud drops at last Monday’s practice (the one reporters were allowed to watch). Last year, both coach Dennis Allen and Olson openly questioned Moore’s focus and attention to details.

I asked Allen last week if that had gotten better. “I think we’re still working through that,” Allen said. “He’s not unlike a lot of guys we have on the football team. He’s still got a lot of improvement that he’s got to make. I’ve seen some strides and hopefully he’ll continue to make those strides. … “With all these guys attention to detail is where we’ve got to work to continue to improve, and that’s with all these guys. Because the margin for error in the NFL is very minute, very small, so the ability to be precise in everything you do is critical to having success.”

Given that’s five receivers we’ve mentioned already, it appears that its going to be tough for Brice Butler, Juron Criner or any other of the receivers here to make the roster this season.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

http://t.co/CMcjkg4Fnh

http://www.silverandblackpride.com/2014/6/17/5819722/matt-schaub-taking-reins-as-starter-derek-carr-takes-over-all-number-two-oakland-raiders

Some significant news items coming from day 1 of mandatory minicamp.

• Derek Carr already has surpassed Matt McGloin as Schaub's backup, pushing McGloin to QB#3. Not surprising, but how fast he was able to make the leap is a surprise.

• Last year's star rookie LB Sio Moore is running with the second team, while almost long forgotten Miles Burris is working with the starters at WLB, while last year's starting WLB Kevin Burnett nurses an injured ankle. For now, I think that's encouraging news that Burris is all the way back from his knee injury. A glut of healthy LB's is a good problem to have in June.

• CB D.J. Hayden, last year's #12 overall pick is officially out till training camp and still walking around on the sidelines in a boot. Not good news at all. Hopefully he gets plenty of rest and is full speed next month, but the Raiders would be wise to look at the free agent market to bolster their paper thin secondary unit.

 

[RaiderBones]

High hopes for new, young receivers

 

[BustedKnuckles]

http://t.co/CMcjkg4Fnh

http://www.silverandblackpride.com/2014/6/17/5819722/matt-schaub-taking-reins-as-starter-derek-carr-takes-over-all-number-two-oakland-raiders

Some significant news items coming from day 1 of mandatory minicamp.

• Derek Carr already has surpassed Matt McGloin as Schaub's backup, pushing McGloin to QB#3. Not surprising, but how fast he was able to make the leap is a surprise.

• Last year's star rookie LB Sio Moore is running with the second team, while almost long forgotten Miles Burris is working with the starters at WLB, while last year's starting WLB Kevin Burnett nurses an injured ankle. For now, I think that's encouraging news that Burris is all the way back from his knee injury. A glut of healthy LB's is a good problem to have in June.

• CB D.J. Hayden, last year's #12 overall pick is officially out till training camp and still walking around on the sidelines in a boot. Not good news at all. Hopefully he gets plenty of rest and is full speed next month, but the Raiders would be wise to look at the free agent market to bolster their paper thin secondary unit.

Flowers?

 

[Faust]

Finding the Fits: Dependable OG Gabe Jackson a steal for Raiders

 

[Faust]

Observations from Raiders minicamp: Day 2

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Raiders coach Dennis Allen concedes second-year CB D.J. Hayden (ankle) is "behind" after sitting out this week's minicamp.
"I don't think there's any way you can sugar coat that," Allen said. Allen did add he believes Hayden can overcome the missed time, but it's clear he's disappointed Hayden has been relegated to the sideline for an important part of the offseason program. Hayden remained in a walking boot this week, giving him a month to get healthy for training camp.

Source: Jerry McDonald on Twitter

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Derek Carr will enter training camp as the Raiders' No. 2 quarterback.
There won't be a manufactured "competition" with 2013 UDFA Matt McGloin. NFL Network's Albert Breer reported earlier this month there's "internal belief" in Oakland that Carr could push Matt Schaub for the starting job, but he'd have to have a perfect preseason to unseat the Raiders' prized trade acquisition. Carr could very easily make starts this season, but it probably won't be before October.

Related: Matt McGloin

Source: Paul Gutierrez on Twitter

 

[32 Counter Pass]

Rotoworld:

Raiders coach Dennis Allen concedes second-year CB D.J. Hayden (ankle) is "behind" after sitting out this week's minicamp.
"I don't think there's any way you can sugar coat that," Allen said. Allen did add he believes Hayden can overcome the missed time, but it's clear he's disappointed Hayden has been relegated to the sideline for an important part of the offseason program. Hayden remained in a walking boot this week, giving him a month to get healthy for training camp.

Source: Jerry McDonald on Twitter

I am begining to feel pessimistic about Hayden. He may just be too fragile for the NFL game. Hopefully I am wrong.

 

[joey]

Rotoworld:

Raiders coach Dennis Allen concedes second-year CB D.J. Hayden (ankle) is "behind" after sitting out this week's minicamp.

"I don't think there's any way you can sugar coat that," Allen said. Allen did add he believes Hayden can overcome the missed time, but it's clear he's disappointed Hayden has been relegated to the sideline for an important part of the offseason program. Hayden remained in a walking boot this week, giving him a month to get healthy for training camp.

Source: Jerry McDonald on Twitter

I am begining to feel pessimistic about Hayden. He may just be too fragile for the NFL game. Hopefully I am wrong.

Pessimistic about our first round draft pick who almost died of a heart attack in practice at college?

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Rotoworld:

Raiders coach Dennis Allen concedes second-year CB D.J. Hayden (ankle) is "behind" after sitting out this week's minicamp.
"I don't think there's any way you can sugar coat that," Allen said. Allen did add he believes Hayden can overcome the missed time, but it's clear he's disappointed Hayden has been relegated to the sideline for an important part of the offseason program. Hayden remained in a walking boot this week, giving him a month to get healthy for training camp.

Source: Jerry McDonald on Twitter

I am begining to feel pessimistic about Hayden. He may just be too fragile for the NFL game. Hopefully I am wrong.

Rogers is already nicked up and Chimdi Chekwa was reportedly on the first team with Brown. We really can't afford any more injuries to our secondary. If Hayden isn't ready at the start of training camp, or has some other ailment, can you imagine the potential hodgepodge secondary we could be forced to roll with when the season starts? Won't be pretty going up against Manning, Rivers, and Smith, et al. :worried:

 

[RaiderBones]

Rotoworld:

Raiders coach Dennis Allen concedes second-year CB D.J. Hayden (ankle) is "behind" after sitting out this week's minicamp.
"I don't think there's any way you can sugar coat that," Allen said. Allen did add he believes Hayden can overcome the missed time, but it's clear he's disappointed Hayden has been relegated to the sideline for an important part of the offseason program. Hayden remained in a walking boot this week, giving him a month to get healthy for training camp.

Source: Jerry McDonald on Twitter

I am begining to feel pessimistic about Hayden. He may just be too fragile for the NFL game. Hopefully I am wrong.

Rogers is already nicked up and Chimdi Chekwa was reportedly on the first team with Brown. We really can't afford any more injuries to our secondary. If Hayden isn't ready at the start of training camp, or has some other ailment, can you imagine the potential hodgepodge secondary we could be forced to roll with when the season starts? Won't be pretty going up against Manning, Rivers, and Smith, et al. :worried:

I have heard T.J. Carrie has looked good so far in camp. He might be able to help out there. I agree though I hope Hayden can stay healthy once training camp starts.

 

[Faust]

Allen: 'We've had an outstanding offseason'

 

[Faust]

Raiders have versatile LB Khalil Mack's 'head spinning'

 

[massraider]

Well, if you don't want another JaMarcus, Carr's Twitter feed is a wet dream. Guy is a sports junkie that post Bible verses:

https://twitter.com/derekcarrqb

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Wonder if they made a play for flowers. I would have liked to see him in silver and black

 

[Faust]

Raiders Twitter mailbag

 

[Chaka]

Tyvon Branch says he’s healthy after missing almost all of 2013

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

The Contra Costa Times' Steve Corkran said second-year CB D.J. Hayden is out of his walking boot and expected to be ready for the start of training camp.
Raiders coach Dennis Allen said the ankle injury suffered during OTAs has put Hayden "behind," but he should be able to catch up in training camp. After a rookie season marred by injury and inconsistent play, Hayden needs to stay healthy to prove he was worthy of the No. 12 overall pick.

Source: Contra Costa Times

The Contra Costa Times' Steve Corkran said he expects RB Darren McFadden to be the Raiders' starting running back if healthy.
Corkran added he expects McFadden to have the most yards from scrimmage of an Oakland back this season. It is a bold position to take considering McFadden's injury history and the presence of newly-acquired RB Maurice Jones-Drew. No matter who is the "starter," the Oakland backfield projects as an almost straight timeshare between two backs on the downsides of their career. Not exactly a blueprint for fantasy success.

Related: Maurice Jones-Drew

Source: Contra Costa Times

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Rotoworld:

The Contra Costa Times' Steve Corkran said second-year CB D.J. Hayden is out of his walking boot and expected to be ready for the start of training camp.
Raiders coach Dennis Allen said the ankle injury suffered during OTAs has put Hayden "behind," but he should be able to catch up in training camp. After a rookie season marred by injury and inconsistent play, Hayden needs to stay healthy to prove he was worthy of the No. 12 overall pick.

Source: Contra Costa Times

The Contra Costa Times' Steve Corkran said he expects RB Darren McFadden to be the Raiders' starting running back if healthy.
Corkran added he expects McFadden to have the most yards from scrimmage of an Oakland back this season. It is a bold position to take considering McFadden's injury history and the presence of newly-acquired RB Maurice Jones-Drew. No matter who is the "starter," the Oakland backfield projects as an almost straight timeshare between two backs on the downsides of their career. Not exactly a blueprint for fantasy success.

Related: Maurice Jones-Drew

Source: Contra Costa Times

Raiders OC Greg Olsen stated Wednesday that he sees second-year RB Latavius Murray as possessing "the biggest upside" in Oakland's running back corps.
"We’re looking for big things from Latavius Murray right now, coming off the foot injury," said Olsen, a power run-game proponent. "He’s shown, to me, the biggest upside right now in what we’ve seen thus far, if he can stay healthy." Murray stands 6-foot-3, 223 with sub-4.4 jets and a 10-foot-4 broad jump. Behind short-term stopgaps Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden, 24-year-old Murray should receive every opportunity to succeed if he shows well in practice. Jun 19 - 7:42 PM

 

[Faust]

Is A's Coliseum lease bad for Raiders?

 

[BWill]

I hope Murray is starting by the end of the year. Via Injury, unless DMC blows up and produces this year.

 

[Sweetness_34]

So I went ahead and drafted McFadden and Streater in my FBGPC draft today. I am very happy with Streater as my 5th WR and have no doubt I could start him every week and be happy in the flex position during the bye weeks. But what about McFadden? I saw the quotes from the newspaper journalist and from the coach above. Does McFadden have a realistic shot at a decent season (if he stays healthy). Any chance MJD gets cut or is relegated to back up? I guess I am looking for info from the die hards that is in addition to the two blurbs on RBs from the OTAs above. Are the days of hoping McFadden surprises everyone and gets a top 10 season done? Or is it still possible?

 

[Raiderfan32904]

So I went ahead and drafted McFadden and Streater in my FBGPC draft today. I am very happy with Streater as my 5th WR and have no doubt I could start him every week and be happy in the flex position during the bye weeks. But what about McFadden? I saw the quotes from the newspaper journalist and from the coach above. Does McFadden have a realistic shot at a decent season (if he stays healthy). Any chance MJD gets cut or is relegated to back up? I guess I am looking for info from the die hards that is in addition to the two blurbs on RBs from the OTAs above. Are the days of hoping McFadden surprises everyone and gets a top 10 season done? Or is it still possible?

I have no problem taking a flier on McFadden as an RB4 or RB5. If he gives you even a handful of decent games before getting hurt, I feel confident he will provide you more quality fantasy starts than MJD will even we assume MJD stays healthy all year. I love your Streater pick as WR5. I think he will be a go-to WR3 for you this year.