Hello Darren McFadden, Goodbye Dominic Rhodes

Just when you thought the Oakland Raiders backfield was jammed packed and just plain ridiculous, they go and make a move to give the team some relief and Darren McFadden a promise of playing time.

Thank God! That was the first thing I thought when I saw this headline, if it wasn't enough for the Raiders to get bashed because they selected running back even though they had more than enough already (but how could you pass on the best player in the draft?), they go and make another move to be praised for.

Most sports enthusiats think that Al Davis and anyone occiated with the Oakland Raiders is crazy and they may be right, but one thing that can't be denied is the Raiders are trying to build a winner and getting Darren McFadden and dropping some useless baggage like Dominic Rhodes a step, no, a leap in the right direction!

2008 Oakland Raiders Schedule

The schedule for the Oakland Raiders has been officially announced and here it is (looking pretty good for the Raidernation!):

WEEK 1: Monday Night Football, September 8th DENVER BRONCOS (in Oakland) 7:15pm PST

WEEK 2: Sunday, September 14th @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 10am PST

WEEK 3: Sunday, September 21st @ BUFFALO BILLS 10am PST

WEEK 4: Sunday, September 28th SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (in Oakland) 1pm PST

WEEK 5: BYE WEEK

WEEK 6: Sunday, October 12th @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 10am PST

WEEK 7: Sunday, October 19th NEW YORK JETS 1:15pm PST

WEEK 8: Sunday, October 26th @ BALTIMORE RAVENS 10am PST

WEEK 9: Sunday, November 2nd ATLANTA FALCONS (in Oakland) 1:15pm PST

WEEK 10: Sunday, November 9th CAROLINA PANTHERS (in Oakland) 1:05pm PST

WEEK 11: Sunday, November 16th @ MIAMI DOLPHINS 10am PST

WEEK 12: Sunday, November 23rd @ DENVER BRONCOS 1:05pm PST

WEEK 13: Sunday, November 30th KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (in Oakland) 1:15pm PST

WEEK 14: Thursday, December 4th @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 4:15pm PST

WEEK 15: Sunday, December 14th NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (in Oakland) 1:15pm PST

WEEK 16: Sunday, December 21th HOUSTON TEXANS 1:05pm PST

WEEK 17: Sunday, December 28th @ TAMPA BAY BUCS 10am PST

Will the Raiders Pick Darren McFadden with Their #4 Draft Pick?

In a move that makes all Oakland Raiders fans extremely happy, running back phenom from Arkansas Darren McFadden has officially visited with the Lane Kiffin and the Raiders coaching staff!

The future the Raiders is looking brighter and brighter with each passing day especially since it is looking more and more possible that Darren McFadden will be wearing silver and black next season.

With the #4 pick in the NFL Draft Raiders coach Lane Kiffin and company want to either grab Jake Long, the OT from Michgan or McFadden. Personally, I am hoping that McFadden falls to the number 4 spot and the Raiders go after him because I believe he is the only running back in the 2008 NFL draft that has the potential to be the next Adrian Peterson and make an immediate impact for the Raiders.

I don't know if you all agree with me and don't think that Justin Fargas will be just fine as the starting running back, but I got a feeling about this kid, he could be big, especially with JaMarcus Russell taking the snaps and creating a potent offense.

Oakland Raiders 2008 Regular Season Opponents

Well, besides the Monday Night Football match up against their arch rival Denver Broncos on September 8th, the Raiders 2008 regular season schedule hasn't been officially announced just yet, but we do know who they will be playing this season.

I guess this is good and bad news for Raiders fans, the good news is that the Raiders opponents aren't very good (at least compared to last season) and that could be very favorable to the Raiders in terms of getting into the playoffs, but there aren't many teams that will be that entertaining to watch.

Here are the Oakland Raiders 2008 opponents:

New Orleans Saints: If these guys play anything like last season and Reggie Bush still turns out to be a bust then expect the Raiders to roll over the Saints, that is if JaMarcus Russell gets the offense clickin' and Hall dominates on the defensive side of the ball.

Atlanta Falcons: I don't think I really have to say anything about these guys, they were just awful last year without Michael Vick and they haven't exactly gone out tried to improve their roster so far, but there is still a lot of off season left, so you never know.

Carolina Panthers: Every single season, the Panthers seem to be Super Bowl favorites, until they hit about Week 2 where they fall flat on their face, but with a healthy Jake Delhome and Steve Smith they will always be dangerous.

Tampa Bay Bucs: You can never count out a team coached by Jon Gruden, but you can't ignore the absolute meltdown at the end of last season. Who knows how many years Jeff Garcia and Joey Galloway have left in them, but when they are on their game, they are hard to stop!

Miami Dolphins: They will still be the laughing stock of the NFL, but I don't think they are only going to win one game this time around.

New York Jets: Should be an easy win for the Raiders as the Jets really don't look like they are going to be a good team anytime soon, especially with Chad Pennington taking the snaps.

Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens will be the biggest question mark this season because it will be the first time in a long time without coach Brian Billick who has made the Ravens primarily a defensive squad and maybe (if they have any sense) they will try and change it up a bit, so it could either result in another dominant AFC team or it will blow up in their face.

Houston Texans: I actually like the Texans, I think they are a very balanced team with young players and looking to break into the NFL's elite, not like the Pats or Colts, but a playoff contender. This will be a tuff match up for the Raiders.

Buffalo Bills: At one point last season I thought the Bills were going to turn the corner and start winning some games, but they just fell apart and I don't see anything different this season, should be an easy W for the silver and black.

New England Patriots: For the first time since the dreaded snow game where the Patriots stole the game in one of the worst calls in NFL history, the Raiders and Patriots will be a game worth watching without a predictable outcome. I am not saying the Raiders are going to win, but they will give the Pats a run for their money.

AFC WEST

San Diego Chargers: God I hate these guys, especially after last season watching LT punk ass on the sidelines and not even attempting to get back in the game or support his teammates. They will still be a tuff team to be, but I guarantee you won't see LT light up the Raiders D for 4 TDs again.

Kansas City Chiefs: This team rests solely on the shoulders of running back Larry Johnson (who killed me in fantasy football last year), if he is healthy and playing like he did two seasons ago, then the Chiefs won't be an easy W.

Denver Broncos: Honestly, I think Mike Shanahan's reign in Denver is over after this season because I don't see any bright spots besides Jay Culter in his roster, but the NFL can be very unpredictable so anything is possible.

2008 Prediction

With these opponents not exactly being the cream of the crop in the NFL, the Raiders improving their roster on seemingly a daily basis and the very real possibility of getting Darren McFadden in the 2008 NFL Draft I think the Raiders have a good chance of going 10-6. A bold prediction, I know, but I think they will be able to pull it off!

NFL Pre-Season: 49ers Will Be the Raiders First Victim

The Oakland Raiders pre-season opponents have been officially announced, some of the times of the games are still in question (TBA), but the 4 teams that they will face have already been determined.

As usual the Raiders will play 4 pre-season games and here are there victims in order:

San Francisco 49ers (time and date TBA)

Tennessee Titans (at Tennessee), August 16th 5:00pm PST on FOX

Arizona Cardinals (TBA)

Seattle Seahawks (at Seattle), August 29th (time TBA)

Not extremely compelling games, but it will be nice to see some of the new Raiders like DeAngelo Hall and Javon Walker get in on a few plays.

What is it Like to Work for the Infamous Al Davis Coach Lane Kiffin?

It is no secret that this off season there was reportedly a target on Lane Kiffin's back with Raiders owner Al Davis' finger on the trigger, but seemingly (hope I am not talking too soon), things have cooled down for the second year coach out of USC.

Although the Kiffin hasn't been canned just yet, it didn't stop some reporters from asking a question that everyone pretty much knows the answer to, but no coach for the Raiders from years past would dare spill the beans about, "Describe working for Al Davis?".

All Raiders fans know, not assume, that Al Davis will ride you as hard as possible to get the Raiders back to title contenders and take certain liberties controlling the team that the head coach should be doing, but gets pushed aside.

Well, when Kiffin was asked this question he responded by saying, "I need a sip of water", while crackin' up a little bit (at least he has a sense of humor about it).

Chuckles aside, Kiffin said, "It's very unique, He's an owner who is very hands-on, prides himself on his knowledge of football. It's not the easiest job. I know people have left because of that. Al is very demanding. At the same time, he is someone who has done a lot of things in this league — coach, (AFL) commissioner, owner — and has a lot of knowledge."

I think I am really starting to like this cat! He knows that Al Davis is a bit of an ass when it comes to running the team, but he still sticks with the game plan and from the looks of the roster so far and we still have about 5 months of tweaking it, signing more players and possibly making some deals, it is looking like a good possibility that the Raiders will be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC West.

He is no Jon Gruden (by far my favorite Raider coach), but I think he will start to get on the good side of all Raider fans next season.

Monday Night Football: First Game of the 2008 Season Oakland Raiders vs Denver Broncos

Yeah baby! It looks like the NFL football season is going to start out with a rivalry clash for the Oakland Raiders as they will take on the hated Denver Broncos at McAfee Stadium September 8th, 7:15pm PST on Monday Night Football!

It seems like wide receiver Javon Walker's career in silver and black will begin with a chance to get back at Mike Shanahan and company on MNF at home, if he has a good game, he will be off to a great start with all Raiders fans instantly.

The actual beginning of the season starts Thursday, Sept. 4th with the Washington Redskins taking on Eli Manning and the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, followed by his big brother Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts going up against Chicago Bears as the first game on the following Sunday.