Indy @ Oakland -- Holiday Edition
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the Raider Nation! It is hard to believe that we are speeding towards the end of the year and completion of the regular season. It seems like only yesterday that I started this blog in December of 2005.
This season has been filled with the full range of exhilarating highs and bitter disappointments. The BIG difference that I've noticed as a fan in 2010, which is a significant departure from the grim previous 7 seasons, is that the team has developed a competitive swagger. There is a sense of turning the corner and establishing a solid platform to continue to reach for the next highest rung.
Being on the cusp of a playoff berth in 2010 can be partly attributed to key additions (Campbell, Wimbley, Groves) and an outstanding rookie class where the 1st four picks made a sizable contribution (McClain, Houston, Veldheer, Ford).
The hiring of OC Hue Jackson has been instrumental in turning an anemic unit into a high powered explosive group currently ranked #9 in scoring. Under Jackson's watch, the offensive unit has become more balanced and diversified while doubling it's scoring output compared to 2009.
HC Tom Cable has done a terrific job keeping the team motivated and focused. I give Cable a ton of credit for developing the great team chemistry and instilling the team's esprit de corps. Watching the 2010 Raiders play and interact, it is quite evident that the players genuinely care about each other and give maximum effort for each other.
Up Next: A very interesting "chess match" vs. Indy. The personality, style of play, and strengths of these 2 teams couldn't be any different. When the Colts are at their best, Manning is carving up the opponent utilizing the passing game with the precision of a watch maker. When the Raiders are at their best, McFadden is dicing and grinding up defensive unit on the ground.
This season has been filled with the full range of exhilarating highs and bitter disappointments. The BIG difference that I've noticed as a fan in 2010, which is a significant departure from the grim previous 7 seasons, is that the team has developed a competitive swagger. There is a sense of turning the corner and establishing a solid platform to continue to reach for the next highest rung.
Being on the cusp of a playoff berth in 2010 can be partly attributed to key additions (Campbell, Wimbley, Groves) and an outstanding rookie class where the 1st four picks made a sizable contribution (McClain, Houston, Veldheer, Ford).
The hiring of OC Hue Jackson has been instrumental in turning an anemic unit into a high powered explosive group currently ranked #9 in scoring. Under Jackson's watch, the offensive unit has become more balanced and diversified while doubling it's scoring output compared to 2009.
HC Tom Cable has done a terrific job keeping the team motivated and focused. I give Cable a ton of credit for developing the great team chemistry and instilling the team's esprit de corps. Watching the 2010 Raiders play and interact, it is quite evident that the players genuinely care about each other and give maximum effort for each other.
Up Next: A very interesting "chess match" vs. Indy. The personality, style of play, and strengths of these 2 teams couldn't be any different. When the Colts are at their best, Manning is carving up the opponent utilizing the passing game with the precision of a watch maker. When the Raiders are at their best, McFadden is dicing and grinding up defensive unit on the ground.
posted by Calico Jack at 6:21 PM
4 Comments:
Merry Christmas, Calico. Here's wishing the Raiders find a win in their stocking while Peyton Manning finds one of Jim Otto's mummified turds.
Merry Christmas, Milt. Love your humor! Silver and Black Forever, hombre. CJ
Another postive post CJ, it's great to see the improvements the Raiders have made this year. I'm so stoked going forward, even if they don't make the playoffs this year, I think the Raider Nation should take heart in the mental turnaround these guys have made. I'm going to the game tomorrow and I'm wondering if I should watch or keep abreast of the KC game, or just go into the Coliseum not knowing, and just enjoy the game and hope for a win. Game time decision I guess...haha. Thanks for all your posts this year, they've been a blessing through the good times and the bad. Here's to an even more improved 2011 Raiders team. Go Raiders!!!!!
It would be next to impossible to not know the outcome of the Tenn @ KC game. Regardless, enjoy the game. If Tenn wins, the game has even more juice. If KC wins, it is still an important game for Oakland in terms of team growth, beating a playoff caliber team with a HOF QB, and pushing our record above .500.
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