Power Pros Forum

RAIDERS MAKE SPLASH BEFORE PRESEASON

Wes Welker (L) and Ray Rice (R) will help the Raiders improve on offense.

The Oakland Raiders have announced that they have made two big signings to address glaring holes in their offense. Oakland has signed Free Agents RB I'm gonna get attacked for this Ray Rice and WR Wes Welker to contracts. Both players, however, are coming off rough seasons. Rice was the subject of a violent domestic abuse scandal that caused him to miss the entire season. Welker was suspended the first 2 games of last season after violating the league's performance enhancing drug policy, and then had the worst season of his career after becoming a starter in 2007 with the new England Patriots. However, these signings easily boost the Raiders offense. Rice looks to battle for the starting RB job with Trent Richardson and Latavius Murray, and Welker will compete for playing time with Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper at the WR position. These signings no doubt make the Raiders better, and if his playmakers can perform, Derek Carr will have versatile options to help him grow in his second season in the NFL. Oakland, led by new HC Jack Del Rio, opens their 2015 season at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Raiders Notes
UDFA QB Cody Farjardo and TE Brian Leonhardt were released to make room for the new signings on the roster.

I'll take Ray and Wes

Can I get Cooper and a Woodson

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Oakland_Raiders_season#Current_roster

That name isn't as good as my "Just Win, Maybe?", but I appreciate the AC/DC reference considering the QB/WR combo.

Someone gets it!

Can I have mack and carr?

I want Fajardo

and I guess I'll take Jon Condo and Jamize Olawale while I wait for you to re-sign him

The legend!

And I guess if I ever get around to cutting Ponder I can get back Fajardo

PRESEASON WEEK #1
Rams - 20
Raiders - 41

Line Score - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
Rams: 0 17 0 3
Raiders: 10 14 3 14

Well, to summarize things, we kicked the Rams' arse. We dominated in time of possesion (30:27 for us, 9:33 for them) and we forced 5 turnovers, 3 picks thrown by Foles and 1 pick thrown by Austin Davis, then we recovered a fumbled kickoff. LB Curtis Lofton was the star of Oakland's defense, picking off two Foles passes. On the offensive side of things, Derek Carr played a limited amount of time in the 1st quarter, and went 5/7 for 19 yards and a Passing TD. Backup QB Christian Ponder played well, finishing 18/24 with 250 passing yards, though he did toss an INT. He was injured at the start of the 4th quarter on a QB sneak and left the game with a bruised hand. Matt McGloin came in and finished the game, going 2/2 for 15 yards and a passing TD. RB Latavius Murray was the player of the game, rushing for 122 yards on 15 carries, and scored 3 TD's. Andre Holmes and Lee Smith had Oakland's two receiving TD's, and Sebastian Janikowski nailed his two FG attempts. New additions Wes Welker and Ray Rice played one series, the opening series, and did nothing. Rookie Amari Cooper caught one pass for 4 yards.

After the game, Coach Del Rio made the opening round of cuts. Among these included:
LT Anthony Morris
LG Tony Bergstrom

These would pave the way to something bigger....

RAIDERS BOLSTER OFFENSIVE LINE WITH TWO KEY DEALS

G Evan Mathis (L) and T Jake Long (R) solidify Oakland's O-Line, and let Derek Carr sleep safer at night.

A few days ago, it was rumored that highly-coveted FA Guard Evan Mathis would be protecting Peyton Manning. He is, in fact, headed to the AFC West, but he will go to Oakland and guard Derek Carr. The Oakland Raiders made another big splash in free agency after their first preseason game, signing Evan Mathis and Jake Long, two veteran offensive lineman, to contracts. The signings make Oakland's offensive line impenetrable, and will help Derek Carr grow more and perform better this season.

"We have what we need," Coach Jack Del Rio said about the moves. "This team is ready to start making some noise." The pieces are in place. Can the Raiders come through?

Looking good so far.

Thanks!
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RAIDERS FINALIZE DEPTH CHART AFTER PRESEASON
The NFL Preseason has ended for the Raiders, and they have finalized their depth chart in preparation to next Sunday's opening day game against the Cincinnati Bengals, at home.

Amari Cooper isn't top 3 in WR?

There are two WR slots. He's a starter