Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Head Coach Profile

Coach Lane Kiffin is still a mystery man to NFL fans, analysts, commentators and pretty much anyone outside his family or the Raiders organization. There is one thing that we do know – he's young. Some think his youth will work toward a quick demise in Oakland, while others seem to think that he can offer the veteran players the respect that they're lacking from an “elder statesman.”

Fans can read his bio and see that he has reveled in success at the college level, but until 9/9/07, his NFL persona will remain a mystery. We'll all get a sneak preview during pre-season, and one prediction I'm willing to make about Kiffin in Oakland: His energy level and enthusiasm for the game will be infectious to the Raider Nation!

He is the same guy that busted out the offensive whopping stick at USC, and his passing game, combined with a power and versatile running attack served him well. In his favor, he has similar tools to take advantage of in Oakland as he did at USC: JaMarcus Russell and a different “Bush...” Michael Bush. These players come with a youthful exuberance similar to his own, and together, they'll hopefully knock a few chips off the old, jaded Raider shoulders.

Oakland Raiders Off-Season Moves

The Raiders did most of their damage in the draft, but the most obvious acquisition during the off-season was the chemotherapy known as a 4th round draft pick after cutting out the cancerous tumor, Randy Moss. Don't get me wrong, Randy Moss has more talent and athletic ability in his pinky than many players possess in their whole body, but apparently he still seems to be unfamiliar with the team-sports concept: There's no “I” in “TEAM.” I'm sure someone has mentioned that to him at some point, but he was probably talking to a mirror at the same time.

Signing Daunte Culpepper to a one year deal will offer the Raiders the same results as Miami experienced last season. Pepp is now a backup QB, and in that regard, I believe he's a good acquisition. Regardless, Al Davis had to make at least one asinine move just before pre-season. Just get Russell signed, gentlemen.

Oakland Raiders 2007-08 Outlook

The 2007 Oakland Raiders are a storm that is brewing – a storm that could dissipate upon contact with the regular season, or a storm that could become a beautiful disaster. Everyone wants to see what's going on in the Raiders camp. Raider Nation is ready to hail Coach Lane Kiffin as the savior of the nation, but they're just as ready to burn him at the stake. No doubt, Art Shell got a raw deal in the bay area last year, yet moving forward it seems that Kiffin's youthful approach may be exactly what the organization needs. He was under scrutiny before he was given the job, so now let's see how he handles the heat in the kitchen.

Summer training camps have led me to believe that there's still a few old dogs who are refusing to learn new tricks while wearing the silver and black. It's never a good sign that you've got veteran players that are complaining to the player's union about having too much practice. It's got to be disheartening for the fans when they feel like their players are saying, “Just sign my check, let's lose our 10+ this season and I'll see you all next year.” Hopefully everyone will get on the new train, or Raiders fans can expect to experience the same woes that they have dealt with for the last several years. It already seems so long ago that the Men In Black squared off with the Bucs on Super Bowl Sunday.

In terms of a beautiful disaster, I think Oakland will win some games this year, but by no means will they be pretty wins. They'll be Oakland Raider wins. The defense can bring the thunder, and the offense, well, we're all waiting to see what JaMarcus Russell can do behind the line of scrimmage. Will he start early? That's doubtful with the recent signing of Dante Culpepper, but when Russell finally steps on the field, expect a level of competitiveness that Oakland hasn't seen offensively in years. Michael Bush was quite possibly the steal of the draft, and fans shouldn't fret Dominic Rhodes off-season, off-the-field problems. Bush is ready to play at this level, and if the O-line can offer a few holes he could easily be a rookie of the year candidate.

Oakland Raiders Trivia

The Raiders have won 3 Super Bowl championships.

Al Davis has been a part of the Raiders organization since 1963, becoming the sole decision maker in 1972 after slyly gaining control of the team while co-owner was Wayne Valley was out of the country viewing the Olympic games in Munich.

Former Raiders running back, Bo Jackson, posted a 4.18 40 yard dash time during the 1986 NFL combine. After opting to play professional baseball, Al Davis acquired Jackson in the 1989 draft in the 7th round, offering him a "full-time" salary for "part-time" play.

The Oakland Raiders were originally to be named the Oakland Senors. After becoming the laughing stock of the local community, they opted for the Raiders - the 3rd place choice of a local contest.

The Raiders were founded in 1960, moved to Los Angeles in 1982 and back to Oakland in 1995.

Since their 2002 Super Bowl appearance, the Raiders posted 4 consecutive losing seasons and have seen the arrival of three head coaches - Norv Turner, Art Shell and the current head coach, Lane Kiffin.

Oakland Raiders 2007-08 Roster

Oakland Raiders 2007-08 Depth Chart

Oakland Raiders - McAfee Coliseum

Construction Began: 1962
Opened: September 18, 1966
Capacity: 63,146
Location: Oakland, CA
Surface: Natural Grass

McAfee Coliseum, most commonly known and often referred to as Oakland Coliseum, has been the home to the Oakland Raiders for well over two decades, yet with “split residencies.” Built in the early 1960s, McAfee Coliseum has been home to multiple sports since its inception. When the Raiders left Oakland for Los Angeles, the city did everything in their power to get the team to return when Raider relationships went sour in southern California. In order for the Raiders to come “home,” a $200 million renovation project would make serious upgrades to the Oakland Coliseum, making it more fit for football audiences. The Raiders have been back at the Coliseum since 1996, seeing it change names twice.