Cooper Carlisle News

It's no secret that the Raiders' o-line has been a mess all seasona 'actually its been a mess since Lincoln Kennedy retired.

Surely, the tryptophan had kicked in. How else to explain rewarding the Raiders and their six-year run of historic futility by putting them on such a revered and iconic national stage as a Thanksgiving Day game in Dallas other than a schedule maker fell asleep at the wheel? Which is why, when the NFL released its slate of prime-time games March 23 ...

Zach Miller's first thought? "Oh, I think it's really cool," the tight end said.

With four offensive starters returning to the fold for Sunday's game, including two skill position guys in running back Darren McFadden and wide receiver Chaz Schilens, coach Tom Cable was predictably tight-lipped when asked about his starters.

By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 5:16 pm in Oakland Raiders .

Last week: Beat Philadelphia, 13-9. The skinny: The Raiders haven't exactly been backing up their famed motto of a "Commitment to Excellence." Instead, it's been more like a "Commitment to Mediocrity." They've gone 102 games since their last postseason appearance and are 26-76 during that span.

Raiders coach Tom Cable, who employed the same "stay the course" strategy throughout an assault investigation that he utilizes while coaching his team, said Friday he was pleased to put the legal matter behind him.

Quarterback JaMarcus Russell is pleased to have his most reliable training camp weapon back on the field and thinks the return of Chaz Schilens on Sunday will give the New York Jets something to think about.

"You can mark it down," Seymour said on a Cincinnati radio show, "the Raiders will be in the playoffs.

By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 4:06 pm in Oakland Raiders .

Raiders coach Tom Cable will work Chaz Schilens, left, slowly back into things. The Raiders keep waiting for Chaz Schilens to come to their rescue.

History was made at the Meadowlands in the Raiders' latest embarrassment, a 44-7 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday.

Friend of the blog, Football Outsider managing editor Bill Barnwell sent me a quick email after the Raiders-Texans game.

By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at 4:17 pm in Oakland Raiders .

Facing the New York Giants defensive line is a tough enough task for an offensive line in the best of circumstances.

Let's just say Mario Henderson was in his private, ahem, library when the Raiders left tackle was reading about the Houston Texans' purportedly woeful run defense.

By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer Sunday, October 4th, 2009 at 8:14 pm in Oakland Raiders .

The fourth-year offensive lineman's beliefs were validated this week when the Raiders cut John Wade and promoted Morris ahead of Samson Satele to start Monday night's season-opener against the San Diego Chargers .

The Raiders cut their roster from 80 to 75 players Monday, one day in advance of the league deadline.

By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer Thursday, August 20th, 2009 at 5:58 pm in Oakland Raiders .