11-07-11 10:15 pm pac                   

Photo Gerald Herbert / AP                                                                                       WR Darrius Heyward Bey

Boss and Bey.

Where were they?

Thats the question on many peoples minds. Let us tell you first off, we don't know.

But we have a few theories...

BEY STASHED AWAY?

Theres a slight chance Oakland was over confident.

I know.

Thats insanity after the 6 pick debacle the Raiders suffered against KC right?

Maybe not.

If Hue really buys into what he has been selling, he thinks Carson Palmer and TJ Houshmandzadeh and a host of other new faces, could actually gel and begin to play solid, game winning football.

And he was right.

The picks hurt but Palmer threw for 332 yds and 3 TDs.

The Palmer led offense was capable of moving the ball and putting up points.

But ghost of Al Davis or no, Carson's ass print is still embedded in his couch, TJs Housh isn't quite mandzadeh'ed yet, so how on earth could they be expected to join a young, inexperienced, banged up team and in 2 weeks help crank out anything resembling an offense?

And yet they did.

Was Hue right to "save" Heyward Bey for the remainder of the schedule?

If thats what he did.

The strategy is solid. Especially given Oaklands current injury report and that means Darren McFadden too who Hue knew was probably going to be out longer than just the Denver game.

Bey is the teams leading receiver, so saving him for later could make some kind of sense, if you thought your offense could win against a lesser opponent without him.

And they almost did.

If there hadn't have been a second half.

The offense was not the problem.

If Jackson did intentionally hold Bey in reserve.

Hue was right.

BEY IS HURT OR WORSE OUT OF SYNC

There is always the possibility Bey is hurt or has had a reoccurence of one of his mystery ailments.

During both pre seasons Bey has been dinged, missing many practices. This pre season Bey sat out and an official reason was never given. 

Oakland hasn't, and won't, make an official announcement on McFadden until they're required to.

Another theory postulates that Bey is woefully out of sync with new QB Carson Palmer.

You'd have to discount Bey's 5 catch Sunday against KC and the 89 yds and first downs he and Palmer achieved.

So...

Bey may be hurt.

Its happened before and they did rush TJ in awfully fast...but we think McFadden's injury may have had a hand in acquiring Housh.

Add to that the fact Bey did take the field for several plays but was only thrown at once.

He stuck around after practice with Palmer and others both Thursday and Friday to work on timing and he may have been injured after or over done it but its not the most likely scenario.

Plus there was no mention of Bey during the press window of todays walk through.

If he was MIA we'd likely have heard it by now.

Odds we see Bey against SD?

90%.

If we don't the possibilities start to include falling out of favor.

BOSS LOSS?

We don't think conspiracy theories apply to the absence of Boss in Oaklands devastating loss.

Or do they?

HC Hue Jackson actually stated Oaklands offensive plays and formations simply didn't require TEs. "Alot of 3 WR, 2 RB sets." but then why was back up TE Brandon Myers out there?

We think the most likely scenario involving Boss isn't quite as mysterious as the Bey affair.

Boss suffered a concussion against KC and though he passed League tests, was cleared to play and practiced all week, he may have been benched for pre cautionary reasons.

One simply cannot under estimate how hard core the League is being regarding this matter in part because a sleazy San Diego Lawyer has filed a class action law suit against them representing former players.

Many people on Facebook have friended this person under a tag we won't wast space with here. Lets just say ryhmes with Schmignit schmafter shcmoot schmall...

Boss could be back for San Diego.

If he's not, something IS wrong.

Oakland cannot afford to hold back at this point especially after falling behind in Division games and facing anolther one on Thursday.

Hue may have been gambling he could get by with what he had and in a lot of ways he was right.

The offense certainly wasn't to blame for Oaklands shocking loss to the craptacular Donks.

But if both men aren't full force go on Thursday night we'll know Hue may have been doing damage control that includes stone walling the media.

This isn't meant to deceive the average fan if its the case. Its meant to gain very real strategic advantage.

With the game at San Diego on Thursday rapidly approaching, we'll know more very soon. 

10-21-11 6:08 pm pac

Photo Tony Gonzales                                                                                                         Hue Jax & Ro Mac

We don't think Pro Bowl caliber DT Richard Seymour is injured just resting but wouldn't be surprised to see him with less reps or not at all against KC.

Pretty sure he hasn't practiced alot this week and when you're a proven vet like the King you don't really need all those practice reps.

HC Hue Jackson had this to say regarding Seymour:

“I think Richard will be fine, I think those (injury) lists are what they are . . . I mean, we have to put out that information, but I think Richard will be fine and ready to go.”

At this point in his storied career, Mr. Seymour's pretty much doesn't need alot of practice at doing his job and could use the rest.

Coach Jackson spent time at the end of practice checking out kicker to replace hamstrung Sebastian Janikowski.

They are still unofficial, but they are the same 3 Kickers we reported to you earlier. 

Rayner is by far the most experienced of the three place kickers who were brought in for tryouts Friday as insurance for Janikowski.

K Dave Rayner is 55-for-75 on FG attempts for his career and was 13-for-16 last season with the Detroit Lions. He played for the Packers in 2006 was 25 of 36 in attempts for Green Bay.

 Rhys Lloyd has been more of a kickoff specialist, but he did boot a 56-yard field goal for the Frankfurt Galaxy.

K Ricky Schmitt, who has been in Raiders camp before, was 2-for-3 in field goal attempts with the 49ers in 2009 and was most recently in San Diego’s camp as a punter.

Schimtt is our choice because he's been in Raider camp before but Rayner's the "veteran".

Safety Ndukwe Chindum's signing could be to compensate on Special Teams.

RB and ST Ace Rock Cartwright is out with what was reported as a calf strain and now has been proclaimed a "knee" injury of unknown severity. We think its not major but he'll likely be kept out as a precautionary measure and allowed to rest this week and during the bye.

Remember, S Jerome Boyd cleaned out his locker this week so Ndukwe could see some field time. That might let FS Michael Huff drop into Nickle against the slot like he had been before attrition at CB limited the tactic.

Rookie CB DeMarcus Van Dyke is raw and Rookie Chimdi Chekwa is too but the former has looked better all around, especially in tackling until sidelined by a hamstring.

Chekwa may be close to returning and while he hasn't practiced much could see time against KC if he's ready.

Chekwa's been working with trainers on the sidelines and looks close to returning.

Again, as we stated earlier MLB Rolando McClain has not been practicing. Though he's only in his 2nd yr, McClain may get less action like Seymour on Sunday but his injury is legit.

The ankle injury he's played on since Houston has seen him miss all 3 of this weeks practice. Today Coach Joackson stated McClain's ankle is: “not as well as he was a week ago. I want to make sure we’re very cautious with him.”

10-13-11 2:35 pm

Photo Ezra Shaw / Getty Images                                                                               WR/KR Denarius Moore

We do our homework.

We learned immediately when we started this 5 years ago that Oakland fans above all others know their stuff when it comes to all things Raider.

We thought we did.

Now, we know what it takes to follow the Raiders. What it takes to get to the truth. To get to the reality behind the bias and the bullcrap sometimes perpetrated by the media. To get the reality behind what a super secret organization like the Raiders are up to, where they are and where they are going.

We know what it takes.

We do it because we love the Raiders but its nice to know our years of hard work and dedication are appreciated.

The cards, the letters the e-mails tell us that we've earned your trust when it comes to news about the Silver and Black.

That means alot.

But, we have to say, we've earned it. :) 

We've had exactly ONE major F'up and that was reporting RG Cooper Carlisle and CB Chris Johnson had been released this pre season.

We had a new source, who, it turned out, was incorrect.

That didn't stop every major news and sporting outlet from printing it though.

You're not the only ones reading RNS.

Though it was bound to happen, we vow always bring you the most accurate and timely Raider news possible, often first.

But that means homework.

Alot of homework.

And in the course of said homework, we discovered something.

Something that means admitting again, that we were wrong.

Don't worry. It won't become habit.


Special on Special Teams

Doing our due diligence we 've noticed on Special Teams just how dynamic Denarius Moore is.

We always knew he was but in the past we've advocated AGAINST the 6-0, 200 lb Moore returning kicks but man, his vison, acceleration, elusiveness, ball security and speed, (did we mention SPEED?!) are as good as anyone in the League right now.

And thats big.

Even though he's relatively slow by Raider comparision (he ran 4.45 40) his quickness and football speed  mean he's a deadly, deadly weapon and if we're serious about play offs, we need to use every weapon we have in every way to win.

That means admitting we were wrong.

That means Moore kick returns please.

Reasons Why:

1. We've already mentioned his physical attributes.

2. No one else has looked near as good. Last years Ace Jacoby Ford hasn't shown he's fully recovered from an early season hammy and rookie RB Taiwan Jones has yet to make it the 20 on a return.

3. Feild positon. Oakland scores 88% of the time it has the ball at or beyond its own 40. I mean, 10, 15 more yards and Janikowski's in range...

4.Moore saw even less attention in last weeks win over the Texans.
We formerly advocated Moore be kept OFF of return duty. Too valuable.

That was when WRs Louis Murphy and Jacoby Ford were injured and still out of the line up. With Murphy and Ford back in pads against the Browns that makes 6 healthy WRs. Moore needs to see the ball as much as possible, even if its in the return game.

5. More Moore More

Like we said, despite our insane fear Moore will end up exactly like Tim Brown and injured on a return, we think for all the reasons above that he should be returning kicks and what ever else he can do to get his hands on the ball for the Silver and Black.

10-11-11 3:56 am pac               
Photo Rebecca Droke / Post Gazette                                                                                     QB Terrelle Pryor


As the first player to join the franchise post Al Davis or "Oakland A.D." former Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor could not be a more fitting and final Al Davis pick.

Let me count the ways...

1. H/W/S

Mr. Davis was famous for, among other things, taking physical specimens as opposed to strictly football players, hence the very Raider "Height / Weight/ Speed" acronym used mostly to describe players that fit that Davis model.

"Football you can teach. You can't teach speed."

When it comes to speed, former Ohio State Big Ten Champion and Sugar Bowl winner Terrelle Pryor has got it. In spades.

At Pryor's Pro Day 17 NFL team reps watched as the 6-6, 235 lb Quarterback clocked a stunning 4.36 40.

Height / Weight / Speed?

Indeed.

2. INFAMOUS

The venerable Mr. Davis was also known for resurrecting careers and taking chances on high risk players. Sometimes he lost, (WR Javon Walker, QB JaMarcus Russell) many times he won (QB/K George Blanda, DL Lyle Alzado, QB Jim Plunkett, QB Rich Gannon).

Sometimes it was careers Mr. Davis resurrected. Sometimes it was reputations.

Those Championships we mentioned earlier accomplished by Pryor? 

Erased. 

Vacated.

We won't go over and over the sordid details of the memorbillia for cash scandal that saw those wins revoked, Pryor's Head Coach fired and him suspended for the first 5 games of the season but suffice it to say, Pryor's amazing talent and physical skill sets had him perched high upon many teams wish lists.

Given the woeful lack of QB depth in this draft in particular, it would've been a shock to see Pryor go undrafted in the first round.

If he'd been clean.

What happened in the past is the past and this morning Pryor will take to the meeting room, take to the field and don the Silver and Black with his new family for the first time.

He won't be expected to compete for the starting job anytime soon unless something catastrophic happens. even then, Oakland would look for a veteran back up rather than field Pryor, even with a handful of specialty plays.   

Pryor is a project slated for future release.

Thats not to say he won't see any reps at all in 2011 but given the depth of talent and Pryor's learning curve at this level, it seems most prudent to bring him along slowly and right now, they can afford to.

3. HYBRID THEORY

Much like the Occupy America movement currently going on across the country, the media seems to be ignoring the Raiders advanced tinkering in Hybrid Theory.

Those who read these pages are aware of the amazing depth and breadth of the program while many, remain shockingly unaware.

After being taken by the Raiders in a the supplemental draft with next years 3rd round pick, many looked at Oaklands finally stabilizing QB situation, Pryor's inexperience, his H/W/S profile and uncanny ability to weave through traffic and pegged him as an immediate positional conversion candidate.

Perhaps to Wide Receiver.

Pryor stated at his Pro Day he would like a shot to play QB in the NFL but would do anything the team that drafts him requests.

In his favor, Oakland is currently and suddenly experiencing a tremendous wealth of talent and depth at the Wide Receiver postion.

It looks like Pryor will get his shot at QB and thats a good thing because Terrelle said it himself:

"I'm a Quarterback at heart."

Thats not to say Pryor won't ever end up catching passes for Oakland.

Who knows?

Its not to say 2nd and 3rd level Defenders won't be terrified everytime the big man breaks contain.

Pryor ran for 1,403 yds in 3 seasons at Ohio so yeah, hes big, hes fast and he is a serious threat in the open field.

AL'S TYPE OF GUY

As you can see, the first to join the Raiders after his passing is exactly the type of player Mr. Davis loved.

Impossibly physically gifted, tarnished champion yearning for redemption, versatile multiple threat.

When QB Terrelle Pryor takes the field as a Raider he'll represent not only himself and the Raiders, in many ways he'll represent the very essence of the man who chose him.

The philosophy, the scheme, the lore.

The Raiders.

Al Davis.

10-07-11 4:48 pm pac
              
                                                                                           FB Manase Tonga

FB Manase Tonga may have struggled academically at one point in his College career at BYU but his football IQ isn't in question. At the 2010 NFL Combine Tonga scored an extremely impressive 29 on the 50 question, 12 minute timed Wonderlic test designed to measure a players football IQ.

Tonga is as tenacious as he is intelligent, not letting inuries nor Coaching and system changes deter him from his goal. Starting for the Oakland Raiders.

Tonga is no longer a system fit for the hybrid Raiders since he is a more traditional blocking FB but this Sunday he could get a chance to take the field and make a case for a more traditional approach if fellow FB Marcel Reece's ankle injury keeps him sidelined another week.

A former WR for the Washington Huskies, Reece made the successful conversion to Fullback and gave the Raider hybrid project a unique deep strike weapon out of the backfield.

This philosophy shift was on display when Reece's back up took the field, rookie TE Richard Gordon.

Though he returned to the game after, a broken hand suffered in the Patriot loss means Gordon is a no go for Sundays match up.
Tonga, who still remains signed only to the practice squad, will travel with the team to Houston and await his fate.

If Reece, who is listed as questionable, is not ready Sunday, Tonga could get the nod and the chance to show what an old school approach can do to assist Oaklands top ranked rushing attack.

We hope Reece is a go because he's such a weapon, but we'd be all right with Tonga paving the way for a 200 yd 3 TD Raider ground game against the Texans too.

Oakland has other options like fielding 2nd RB Michael Bush or veteran RB Rock Cartwright at FB but Bush is injury prone and protested playing FB early on in his Raider career and Cartwright, who played the postion for the Redskins back in the day and back when he was 20 lbs heavier, would be questionably effective and is  far too valuable as a Special Teams ace to risk.

We may have to wait till Sunday to see which way they decide to go but we wouldn't be surprised to see #41 lining up and blowing away 2nd level defenders on Sunday to Raider chants of "TONGA! TONGA! TONGA!"





  

10-04-11 12:01 am pac           

Photo / AP                                                                                                                  The Power Company 

The surprise of the season so far has to be the Raiders top flight O line performance so far.

Former HC Tom Cable was brought aboard to implement the ZBS which he did, with some success. Oakland gained yards but mostly between the 20s and its point totals dwelled in the statistical cellar.

Now Cable is helming the Seahawks embarrassing O line and Legends Bob Wylie and Steve Wisniewski have successfully implemented a more traditional straight line, pulling trapping, power blocking scheme that 4 weeks in, leads the League.

All the more impressive considering Oakland lost two starters from last season and replaced their O line Coach and system.

LG Robert Gallery priced himself out of Oakland and ended up signing with Cable's new team Seattle. Much like he did with Oakland, Gallery was out and injured in short order.

Once starting Left Tackle last year, Mario Henderson had a $3.8 million dollar contract waiting for him to sign but ate his way out of a sure starting slot and out of the NFL.

Current Left Tackle Jared Veldheer won the job away from Henderson last year as a rookie and spent the off season putting on 20 lbs of solid muscle at a world class weight room built by he and his brother.

With techniques taught by HOF player and current Raider Line Coach Wisniewski, playing with solid core fundamentals and leverage taught by Wylie, the former Division II 3rd round pick has been amazing so far in only his 2nd year.

Legacy Stephan Wisniewski was this years 2nd round pick (48th overall) and slated early to play the postion he manned at Penn State, Center.

Current Center Samson Satele learned of Wisniewski's selection along with everyone else. Satele actually had a lengthy period of time aside from the strike when he heard nothing from the Raiders as to wether they would have him back or not.

Satele was brought aboard specifically for Cable's ZBS and  is one of, if not the smallest starting Center in the League. Hardly optimal for the new power scheme Oakland had in mind.

Wisniewski was.

Whatever prompted Wisniewski's shift to Left Guard is anyones guess. We assumed he wasn't quite up to NFL speed and wouldn't be thanks to the strike shortened pre season or that Henderson's sudden departure necessitated a complete overhaul.

Either way, its worked out brilliantly.

Satele is playing well, leading the O line, making calls and dominating  at the LOS and second level.

Wisniewski is taking Coaching from his Uncle Steve and paving the way with 2nd year man Veldheer for Darren McFadden to lead the League in rushing.

At Right Tackle Khalif Barnes is playing the postion for the first time in his career. When he saw his opportunity to play his natural spot Left Tackle dry up, he wasnt sure i he'd re-sign with Oakland.

Remember, at one point Oakland had Barnes, Henderson, Gallery, Langston Walker and Satele twisting in the wind which is why the production of this line is just shy of remarkable.

Most surprising of allis the re-emergence of Right Guard Cooper Carlisle. We'll gladly eat our words because his play helps the Raiders and frankly, we were wrong.

Carlise has shown in year 11 that his best days are not "3-4 years behid him." The former Bronco was picked up by Oakland after being dumped by Denver.

Oakland was coverting ala Tom Cable to the Zone Blocking System and Carlisle was a veteran of the scheme the Broncos had run for years.

Of course when Cable departed for Seattle many wrote Carlise off again as being undersized, too old and not a fit for the Raiders new power blocking scheme.

So far, they've all been wrong.

Carlise has done a great job.

There. That didn't hurt to say at all...

Respected as an O line guru, Coach Wylie is also a master of sleight of hand, amazing players with his tricks and teaching them the steps necessary for the Raiders perrenially struggling O line to not only achieve but to thrive as one of the Leagues most productive.

THAT ladies and gentlemen, is clearly the best trick of all.

Taking the Raiders from a finnesse blocking scheme to one of power could've, hell, should've taken time. Instead Oakland seems to have tapped into something of its old self. 

The return of a team who dictates to their opponents, beats them up, damages them, wears them down.

Thats traditional Raider football. Thats building a bully. Thats the Silver and Black.

Thats the return of the Power Company.

09-29-11 3:03 pm pac

Photo Jed Jacobsen / AP                                                                      

We're not ones to fawn over teams mandatory Friday injury reports because frankly, they don't mean much.

If a player is injured to the point he likely won't be able to play the next week, we usually know it. Rarely their is a surprise because players can rebound and or teams can successfully hide a players true status to gain some kind of real or imagined advantage.

Having said all of that, we are concerned with todays absence of DE Matt Shaughnessy (shoulder) and FS Michael Huff who apparently passed NFL concussion protocols and participated in practice yesterday was a no show on the field today.

HC Hue Jackson had this to say about Huff's not participating in team drills:

“I’m not going to say it’s a bad sign,” Jackson said. “Obviously, we’re being overly cautious. We have to make sure that he is where he needs to be. We have to put healthy players out there.”

Typically cryptic.

There is depth at DE to help cover for Shaughnessy but Oakland would rather have the burgeoning, pass rushing, edge setting book end for Sundays match up.

The Raiders managed without Huff last week and there is a possibility fellow Safety Mike Mitchell could return but his viability after such a prolonged absence after off season knee surgery is in question.

We've mentioned it alot so we won't labor the point, but Oakland could use the help at the 3rd level.

We think both will see time on Sunday unless Huff has taken a turn.

We don't expect CB Chris Johnson to paly the Sunday when the Pats come to town. Johnson struggled mightly when he was able to take the field. A hamstring injury should keep him sidelined.

Both rookie DBs Chimdi Chekwa and DeMarcus Van Dyke appear on the injured list but both should be game ready.

The Raiders will likely need all the help they can get against New Englands League leading, pass happy offense.

The polar opposite it true of the Pats dinged up Secondary who may get a one armed Patrick Chung back but likley not Ras-I-Dowling but the obvious strategy would be to ground and pound the Pats cellar dwelling Defense.

The Pats are ranked dead last but 10th against the run. A little misleading because their injury decimated secondary has invited teams to shred them through the air so their really hasn't been a need to run against them.

For the first time since the Gannon era the Raiders finally have the option  to go air if need be.

Notably NOT on todays injury report is WR/KR Jacoby Ford who is back from a hamstring issue.

“I’ll be on the field,” Ford said. “I definitely will be playing. I don’t know how much, don’t know when. Whenever they want me in there, then I’m going to go.”

Combined with shrewd play calling, excellent Coaching, an excellent depth based rotational game plan and a new found focus and willingness to go above and beyond by Raider players, Oakland is in a position to smite an old foe, improve their record and make a "Changing of the Guard" statement to the NFL. 

09-26-11 12:33 am pac                          

Photo Paul Sakuma / AP                                                                                                         DE Jarvis Moss 

BREAK DOWN LANE

We're nowhere near done breaking down film on this game but some interesting and spectacular things so far.

VETERAN SAVVY AND HYBRID THEORY

FB Marcel Reece was injured and out early against New York and his absence was the reason for 5-8, 217 lb RB Rock Carwright subbing at Fullback. The versatile former Redskin has played the position before but served as a stop gap for the dinged up Reece and is an invaluable Special Teams force.

No official word from the Raiders or Reece but its rumored he may have an ankle injury.

Fortunately as part of its hybrid Nation campaign Oakland has been utitlizing rookie TE Richard Gordon at FB and H back in goal line and certain packages.

They're also running more shot gun and single back formations.

Have no lillusions, Reece would be missed but Oakland demonstrated it can compensate and creatively adjust on the fly.

And I think I've just given my first compliments to Oakland philosophy and Coaching.

FROM THE DEPTHS

Only real Raider fans like the ones smart enough to read these pages understand the true depth of talent across the board Oakland has quietly collected.

Safety Tyvon Branch has formed a reputation for poor coverage and is working hard to correct that notion reading well and putting himself in position to not only defend but to intercept.

Last week he had an end zone pass slip through his hands. This week his end zone interception of a Sanchez pass ended a serious scoring 1st quarter scoring threat.

Safeties Matt Giordano and Jerome Boyd are making plays and better yet not blowing them either. DB Joey Porter is even throwing his hat in the ring. 

As we hinted in an earlier article CB Sterling Moore may join the4 53 depending on the status of FS Michael Huff (concussion), SS Mike Mitchell (knee) and CB Chris Johnson (groin).

 Sterling is one of our camp favorites with a nose for the ball, is a play maker and has a willingness to stick his nose in on the run game.

Oakland can use the help in their ever dwindling secondary corps. 

Even if one or two of them are game ready, Oakland may let WR/KR Nick Miller go in order to bring Moore up from the practive squad and use rookies Denarius Moore and Taiwan Jones to handle return duties.

Jones looked aweome on an 8 yd run and recovering Antonio Cromartie's fumbled return that saw Oakland take a 14 point swing inside of :40 seconds ala the "Heidi Bowl".

Taiwan is a special player. You're gonna love him.

Players like classic Raider reclamation project DE Jarvis Moss accounted for 2.5 sacks and relentless pressure on QB Mark Sanchez in the 6-6, 260 lb DE's break out game.

His is a great story and he's a great father.

Fellow ressurecty LB Quentin Groves is looking more and more impressive making reads and violent stops especially in the run game.

Another great success story and like Moss, another first round reclamation project paying off.

Classic Raiders, Classic Al Davis.

They keep this up and eventh main stream media will be forced to acknowledge it. 

SHADOW WARRIORS

Aside from Richard Gordon, there are other Raider rookies quietly rotating in and making solid contributions. We've mentioned DB Chimdi Chekwa's impressive pinch hitting home town debut.

Rookie WR Denarius Moore is quickly becoming a house hold name and a human highlight reel.

OL Joseph Barksdale is making plays in certain packages and in rotational duties and not just on running plays. Fellow rookie Lineman Stephan Wisniewski is doing a very solid job starting at Left Guard.

Guaranteed collective "OOOH!!!" from his team mates when they show Center Samson Satele laying a de-cleater on a helpless Jet Safety trying to contain the run on Moore's end around TD.

Sadly, there wasn't enough left of him for us to make a postive I.D.

The Raider O line has out performed expectations so far but remember, McFadden makes O lines look good and makes the play fake, as we witnessed today, a weapon to be feared and for Jason Campbell to love.

TE Kevin Boss made his debut and after and opening drive 28 yard grab he took to the 1 yd line, he remained fairly quiet he did lay down the blocks and in fact sprung McFadden on his 70 yd TD scamper.

Oaklands stars are making plays but its the soldiers in the trenches and reserves that are getting the job done and quietly making this team a viable and dominant force.

Most shocking of all this week 3 is the revelation that this is a real team and functioning as such, the sum of its exceptional parts are combining into one very capable and very dangerous machine.