Website design By BotEap.comWhat can we say about the Oakland Raiders? After an amazing start to the decade (think of the dominating days of Gannon, Rice, Brown, Garner, Woodson and others), the Raiders just haven’t been what they used to be. As a Jets fan, I can remember year after year dreading the presence of the mighty Raiders. Times have obviously changed.

Website design By BotEap.comEven bringing in high-caliber players like Randy Moss at wide receiver and LaMont Jordan at running back failed miserably, as the Oakland Raiders have had more consecutive losing football seasons than I can count at this point. They have a very talented secondary, but there’s not much else to say that’s good about the team. Your offense is just horrible.

Website design By BotEap.comPoor endings to each season have given the Oakland Raiders the benefit of a few early draft picks. Take two of their picks in recent years, JaMarcus Russell (quarterback) and Darren McFadden (running back), both very talented football players and arguably the best in the nation at their positions while in college. It looks like both players are finding their way as they have improved so far this season.

Website design By BotEap.comWhile Russell hasn’t been as good as they’d like him to be, he’s certainly better this year than last and making fewer mistakes than he was in 2008.

Website design By BotEap.comThe Raiders somehow almost beat the Chargers during the first game of the season. Facing the entire nation in Monday night soccer, they led into the fourth quarter and would have won were it not for the heroism of Philip Rivers in the final series. However, in week 2, the Oakland Raiders beat the Chiefs.

Website design By BotEap.comWhile a win against the Chiefs is nothing to brag about, I think the Chiefs are better this year than they were last, thanks to the addition of Matt Cassel at QB. Dwayne Bowe also seems to get better every year. Despite this, the Raiders pulled off a nice win over the Chiefs.

Website design By BotEap.comWe’ll see where things end up at the end of the season, but for now, the Raiders have a sense of hope they haven’t had in years. The Raiders nation will gladly accept it.