Thoughts from the Dark Side

Jarrod Cooper brings the Raider Nation together to support Code 597

Patrick Patterson — Sun, 11 May 2008 10:17:50 +0000

Jarrod Cooper welcomed the Raider Nation to the Oakland Animal Shelter for an event to raise funds and awareness for Coop’s Code 597 program. Ricky Brown and Justin Griffith were also on hand to lend their support to the cause. Gorilla Rilla, Sidewinder, Inferno, Defender, and the rest of the Raider Nation came to show their support for the Oakland Animal Shelter, while Izzy Osbourne and Raiderhed both rocked the crowd.

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Mini Camp reviews nearly uniform after first day

Rob Calonge — Sat, 10 May 2008 21:13:55 +0000

Image details: Oakland Raiders Rookie Mini Camp
served by picapp.com
McFadden continues to impress when given a chance

Going around the web today, although I’d rather be at the Alameda facility for the second day of the rookie mini camp, and I’m finding that many of the reporters have either pooled their reporting resources or see things nearly the same as each other. Now, I’m not going to complain or criticize this phenomenon because it’s probably a good bet I’d see many of the same things. Instead let’s recap what’s being said around the web about the Raiders drafted, undrafted, and unsigned players. (more…)

Making the case for Oakland Raiders missing from the Hall of Fame

Patrick Patterson — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:55:49 +0000

Don’t forget to vote in our poll on which Raider Thoughts from the Dark Side is going to unify behind to get into the Hall of Fame. L Dizzle has taken the time to lay out the cases for several of the candidates as to why they deserve our support in getting them enshrined in Canton.

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NFL Network gets one ranking right

Rob Calonge — Sat, 10 May 2008 06:03:32 +0000

Here at TFDS, we’ve gone round and round about the slights given to the Raiders. Many in Raider Nation have done the same amongst themselves and probably with others external to the Nation. We here at TFDS will be creating a new page for Raiders videos. It’s not up yet, but it will be. We’ve already added a new section in our 2008 Draft Coverage called Draft Coverage by NFL Network. Stop on in and check it out. (more…)

Oakland Raider in the Hall of Fame campaign

Patrick Patterson — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:22:57 +0000

There are numerous Raiders who have had Hall of Fame worthy careers who have not yet gotten the call from Canton they so richly deserve. Neither Rob, nor I have a vote in the Hall of Fame voting process, but we have decided to lead a campaign to right the wrong to one of these great Raiders. We need your help to accomplish this goal.

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Former Raiders can’t seem to contain their enthusiasm

Rob Calonge — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:58:00 +0000

“The first difference is that they practice a lot faster here – and not just the players, but the coaches. The players expect it, and that’s something you learn right off the bat. They don’t settle for less here.” - Fabian Washington Baltimore Ravens Website

“The year out in Oakland was a tough one for me, man, especially coming from the Colts which is a great organization.” - Dominic Rhodes as reported by Jerry McDonald

“I was so happy to get out of Oakland and I am hungry to win after all those losing years out there.” - Chris Carr as reported by Tennessean.com

There are plenty of former Raiders with much to say since leaving this offseason, and each has taken their opportunity to knock the team in some form or another. (more…)

The 49ers tried to force the Raiders from Oakland

Patrick Patterson — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:06:59 +0000

In the late 1960s, a decade before Al Davis would take football away from the city of Oakland, he along with then owner Wayne Valley saved football in Oakland. As the American Football League was negotiating its merger with the National Football League the San Francisco 49ers tried to bribe or force the Oakland Raiders out of the Bay Area market. Davis and Valley stood fast, and the Raiders entered the NFL as the Oakland Raiders.

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Fullback Oren O’Neal: The Oakland Raiders secret weapon

Patrick Patterson — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:10:59 +0000

The Oakland Raiders had a top flight rushing attack in 2007. The addition of Darren McFadden will likely turn that rushing attack into a lethal force. Justin Fargas won the Commitment to Excellence award for rushing for over 1000 yards despite only starting seven games. The soon to be departed LaMont Jordan and the now departed Dominic Rhodes both chipped in 100 yard games. Tom Cable gets the credit for turning the offensive line around, but one name that had as much to do with the success of the running game as anyone else is Oren O’Neal.

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Al Davis still knows drafting, he just needs better luck.

Rob Calonge — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:59:23 +0000

Image details: Raiders owner Al Davis served by picapp.com
Al needs a little patience with coaching to go along with a little luck.

So often when the Oakland Raiders, Al Davis, and drafting are mentioned in the same conversation, other words such as speed, athlete, and workout seem to follow. Another word that ends up becoming part of the conversation is, “Marinovich.” Unfairly, Todd Marinovich is the man whom many of the draft-niks and media journalists use to define Al Davis and his drafting prowess. The fact that makes this so unfortunate is that when Todd Marinovich was drafted, he was thought to be the second coming of Ken Stabler, a highly skilled quarterback that liked to party. People forget that he lead the Trojans to a Rose Bowl victory over the Bo Schembechler led Michigan Wolverines in his freshman season. Maybe it was the joy people got out of Marinovich embarrassing himself, his dad, and Al Davis. (more…)

Oakland Raiders offensive firepower to set the NFL ablaze: Thoughts from a Reader’s Side

Patrick Patterson — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:18:37 +0000

We have a first time contributer to Thoughts from a Reader’s Side tonight. Umer aka Raider Till Death has his take on the Oakland Raiders offense with Darren McFadden. He expects the Raiders to light up the scoreboard with their new weaponry.

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