MVN - Most Valuable Network

Oakland Raiders Camp Battles: Linebackers- Who will join the Law Firm of Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard?

As the camp battles series winds its way through the defense, we come to the linebackers. The Raiders have two ‘backers who are knocking at the door of the Pro Bowl in Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison. They form a dynamic duo and have become both fan favorites and top notch players. They combined for ten interceptions last season, and only look to improve on that as they are both young. The question is not whether they will make the team or be starters, but who will surround them at the linebacker position?

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Happy Independence Day, Raider Nation!

For me, I have always treated July fourth as more than just an excuse to fire up the grill, get drunk and blow things up. I do all those things, but I also take some time to reflect upon what exactly is celebrated. It is the birthday of the USA and coincidently enough, Al Davis.

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Oakland Raiders Al Davis: A Happy Birthday from a Raider fan

The first black NFL head coach, Art Shell, shakes hands with the founding father of Raider Nation

Mr. Davis,

You don’t know me.  I was never a top prospect coming out of high school, nor was I a college phenom.  I’m not a coach, a scout, or an agent.  I’m sure that you’ve seen me over the years, but I know that you don’t know who I am.  I don’t expect you to know me, nor do I think that you’ll ever get to know me.  I do however, expect that you have a good idea of what I’m all about.  I’m a Raider, Mr. Davis.  No, I’m not one that’s ever worn the uniform on the field of play.  I’m just a guy that wears the jersey at any Raider function, game, or chance I get to show the world who I am.  I’m a Raider, Mr. Davis, and I want to thank you for being one too. Read the rest of this entry »

Oakland Raiders’ legend Jim Plunkett a true icon: Thoughts from a Reader’s Side

Tonight’s edition of Thoughts from a Reader’s Side is unique in that it is not the just the work of one of our readers. It is a collaboration of several members of one of our partner sites, The Raider Spot. Over on The Spot, they are spending the offseason compiling lists of the all time Raiders at different positions. They started with the quarterbacks, and one of their top quarterbacks is none other than Jim Plunkett. By the request of our friends over at The Spot, we are reprinting a biography they compiled on Plunk. I have to say that I was quite impressed by it, and proud to give it further exposure, not just to help a partner site, but also to honor a Raider great with this well done bio.

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Oakland Raiders camp battles: Defensive Ends- Kalimba Edwards and Jay Richardson compete to rush the passer opposite Derrick Burgess

The camp battles series continues here at TFDS, as we move on to the defensive ends. This is a position where depth is essential, and earlier in the offseason there was a dearth of depth in this position. The Raiders have added bodies, but the question is whether or not they will be able to rush the passer and contain the opposing running game. I was rather hard on the defensive tackle crew yesterday, because the run defense in Oakland has been a sieve for the last several seasons. The ends share in that responsibility, and Derrick Burgess is a two time pro bowler as a pass rusher, who is not as great against the run. Other than Burgess, the ends are a veritable Who’s Who of Who’s that? That is not to say that someone won’t step up and show that they can get it done, as Chris Clemons came out of nowhere last season to tie Burgess for the team lead in sacks. Camp will tell a lot about how this position will shake out.

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The Man Behind the Mask: Oakland Raiders’ Al DAVIS: Thoughts from a Reader’s Side

We have a feeling that Coach would vote for Al if he was running

We have a first time contributer to the Thoughts from a Reader’s Side here on Thoughts from the Dark Side at TFDSsports.com. Coach explains why Al Davis should be revered in this day and age rather than reviled. He gives a good examination of Al Davis’ past and why he still plays a role in American society today as well as blazing the trail for the future of the NFL.

The Man Behind the Mask: Al Davis

By Coach

Special to Thoughts from the Dark Side

Albert Einstein once said, “A fellow who does things that count, doesn’t usually stop to count them.” These wise words epitomize the maverick of the National Football League, Mr. Al Davis. Read the rest of this entry »

Oakland Raiders: Five things to love about them in 2008

What a whirlwind of an offseason this has been so far! It started prior to the end of the Raiders last game of 2007 and the winds of change have continued to ‘dust up’ many negative insights about the Oakland Raiders as an organization. In fact, many would wonder, with all of the stories written since the end of week 16, is there any organization to the Raiders at all?

It would be so easy to begin believing that there is no hope if you were to have little faith to begin with. If you don’t believe, or have little belief left that the Raiders will have a good 2008, then you need to relax a little and take solace with a few reasons that the Raiders are ready for a good year. Read the rest of this entry »

Oakland Raiders camp battles: Defensive tackle-Tommy Kelly, Terdell Sands, Gerard Warren and more compete to be the muddle in the middle

As the Oakland Raiders “Camp Battles” series moves from the side of the ball that scores points to the side of the ball that stops other teams, its time to look at the position that was by far the biggest question mark coming into the offseason, the defensive tackles. Last year’s crew was woeful at stopping the run. Warren Sapp has retired, Tommy Kelly has moved from end to tackle, William Joseph has been signed, and both Terdell Sands and Gerrard Warren return. Josh Shaw is hanging around despite being inactive for most of 2007.

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