Sights and Sounds from the Game!

Photo by Willie Eashman

Sports In The Bay

Sports In The Bay takes you inside the locker-room with post game interviews. Also, be sure and check out some exciting photos by Willie Eashman!

Niners/Raiders Game Recap

Sports In The Bay !

by Felicia & Eddrick


Here is our post-game video recap of the Niners/Raiders pre-season matchup!

Running the Gauntlet!

Sports In The Bay

by Eddrick

At halftime of tonight's Raiders/Niners game I left the press box to go and visit a friend (what's up Soulchica). This entailed walking through the throngs of Raider and Niner fans who had packed the main concourse. What a sight! I was shoulder to shoulder with passionate fans of both teams. At times, you couldn't move at all and I found myself trapped. "Raaaaiiiiidddderrrrs!" shouted one fan (in my ear) dressed in a silver and black hockey mask. "Niiiiinnerrrs!" shouted a slightly inebriated young lady in tight jeans and a Patrick Willis jersey. I was safely dressed in neutral blue, so I didn't attract much attention. I covered my press pass though. The emotion of this game was very high, despite it being a pre-season game.

What struck me was how lucky we are to be in the Bay Area and able to have two historic NFL teams in such close proximity to each other. Its a good thing and a healthy rivalry. I can't wait until the two teams meet again in the regular season.

Training Camp Concludes in Napa

Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha

Photo by Willie Eshman

By Felicia

Sports in the Bay!

Thursday mid-morning was full of smiles and pleasantries as the Oakland Raiders packed-up their belonging and commenced their grueling five-week training camp in Napa, California.

Training camp is strictly that...training. It is a time for players of various football levels and experience to prove they have the credentials to make an NFL roster. However, it is also a time of bonding and getting to know your fellow teammate.

Two-time Raiders Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha told Sports in the Bay! why bowling night with his teammates was his most memorable moment of training camp this year.

"I think it was a great team bonding experience. You were matched up with players that you didn't know and you got a chance to learn a lot about them and of course my team won so that made it that much better."

Of course Asomugha doesn't remember what he bowled that evening but did admit; "I was the weakest bowler out of all the four of us (which was comprised of two offensive linemen, a tight end and the receivers coach) I'll admit that.

Although his team won their match, the veteran player said nothing matched up to the bonding experience that took place. "Team bonding is great. You want to have that type of bond with your teammates; it's a brotherhood and these are your brothers on the field so you want a closer relationship with them so I think it's huge."

This year, the Raiders will face their cross-town rival, San Francisco 49ers twice, in the pre and regular season. It is a festive time for the Bay Area to show their passion and alliegances to their respective organizations. Asomugha confirmed that the players get just as excited about the proclaimed Battle of the Bay, as the fans.

"It's a big deal, playing against the team right across the bridge. There are bragging rights everytime you play them and it makes it even more special because we play them in the regular season. You want to disrupt any thoughts they may have so guys definitely get excited and pumped up for the game."

Oakland who are currently 2-0 in the pre-season will host their first home game Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers, who are also 2-0 in the pre-season.

Next Tuesday the roster cutdown will be cutdown to a maximum of 75 players with the final cut of 53 players taking place on September 4th.

The Raiders host the 49ers Saturday, August 28th at 6:00pm.

Raiderette Calendar Release Party - Jovann Walker Interview

Vid by JF

By Felicia

Last week the Oakland Raiderettes held their annual calendar release party at the historical FOX Theatre in downtown Oakland.

Under the direction of first-year director Vandana Patel, this years event was open to the public. Those in attendance were treated to a dance performance by the Raiderettes as well as a meet and greet from Footballs Fabulous Females.

You can see the Raiderettes on the field this Saturday when the Raiders host the San Francisco 49ers at the Oakland Coliseum. Kick-off is 6pm.

Stay tuned to Sports in the Bay for game recap.

Raiderette Calendar Unveiling-Tiaja Jacks Interview

Raider's Safety Tyvon Branch Chats With Sports In The Bay

Sports In The Bay

Raider's Safety #33 Tyvon "Branchy" Branch took time after yesterday's practice to chat with Felicia about the upcoming season.

Gorilla Rilla, HAZMAT Boyz, and Black Hole Rob

Sports In The Bay

Raider Nation Royalty visited the Raider's training camp yesterday. NFL Hall of Fame member Gorilla Rilla, HAZMAT BOYZ, and Black Hole Rob checked out the 2010 Raiders. They also promoted their upcoming video release party for HAZMAT's song Total Eclipse. The release party will take place on 8/27/10 at Ricky's in Oakland.

All Eyez on Me

New Raider QB Jason Campbell

Sports in the Bay

by

Eddrick

Another NFL season is upon us and training camp is well underway. While observing a Raider's practice today I reflected upon the ten questions I came up with at the end of last season. I felt that the questions were at the core of restoring the Silver and Black to the upper tier of the NFL. Let's review those questions and take a look at how the Organization addressed them:

1. What to do with Jamarcus Russell?

They had no choice but to cut him. Let’s hope things work out in the end and the young man gets himself together. Their decision was made easier with the acquisition of Jason Campbell. Props to the Organization for making the tough, but necessary, choice.

2. Will Richard Seymour return?

Yes. Another good decision by the Organization. Veteran presence, championship caliber intangibles, and he can put the QB on his back. Next question.

3. How can they generate enough fan interest/ticket sales to lift the TV blackouts?

Discounts, discounts, and ticket giveaways! Lots of them! Get tickets into peoples hands and point them towards the Coliseum. This team is talented and with the right mix of deafening noise from Raider Nation they could win seven or eight home games. Fans in the seats matter when its 3^rd and 1 on your own goal line in late season games. It’s the difference between scoring a field goal or six points. Find a way to lift the blackout! Then again, this one can be solved by Just Winning Baby. We’ll have to wait and see.

4. Will Al Davis retain Coach Tom Cable?

Yes. Another good move by the Organization.

5. Who will they draft, and why?

The Organization went heavy on defensive players and offensive linemen. The team is talented at the skill positions and the addition of Jason Campbell upgraded a vulnerable spot. They drafted wisely and purposely. Well done.

6. Will they hire a General Manager?

Next question.

7. Can they keep their most talented players?

Yes. Nnamdi, Seymour, and what could be a very talented linebacking core.

8. What to do with Darrius Heyward Bey?

Stability at the QB position could unleash his potential. There is stiff competition at the WR position, so things won’t be easy. This will be a fun question to explore throughout the season. Again, we’ll have to wait and see.

9. Will a talented free agent want to sign with the Raiders?

They re-signed quite a few of their own free agents and kept up their overall level of talent. So the answer to this question is yes.

10. Will they be able to truly restore the greatness of this historic franchise?

I’m laying this one squarely on the offensive line. If they can protect Jason Campbell and block for the running backs, things can turn around quickly. Jason Campbell’s numbers have improved each year of his career. His passer rating of 86.4 last year was higher than the ratings for Carson Palmer, Vince Young, Matt Ryan, Jay Cutler, Matt Hasselbeck, Matt Cassel, Mark Sanchez, etc. His 64.4 completion percentage was higher than Tony Romo’s and Eli Manning’s (look it up). In other words, he’s a bona fide NFL QB. The Raiders need excellent play from the QB position and positive production from the running game in order to win. If the offensive line performs the Raiders will score 22 points per game, more than enough to be a playoff contender. However…

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Greatness is earned and the Raiders have an opportunity to restore the luster of Silver and Black. The 2010 NFL season is upon us. Let the games begin!

Nick Miller Q&A

Sports in the Bay Exclusive - Q & A with Raiders Linebacker Trevor Scott

Raiders linebacker Trevor Scott (right) working hard at training camp.

Photo by Willie Eashman

By J.P.
Sports in the Bay Jr. Reporter

Raiders linebacker Trevor Scott has hit the ground running again in his third season with the team. The Buffalo alum has been hitting the weights harder than he has before earning the nickname "Scissor" by teammate DE Matt Shaughnessy.

I caught up with Scott for a brief Q and A in Napa. Home of Raiders Training Camp.

J.P. : I know you went to Buffalo University. What do you think about the head coach they brought in awhile back?

Trevor Scott: Bob Quinn? I talked to him when I went down there for the pro day. He's a great guy, I mean he's a hard nosed, nose-to-the-grind stone type of guy and he's going to have the boys ready this year.

J.P. : Are you going to get rid of all the hair?

T.S. : Yeah, I'm going to get a haircut, but I don't know about the beard yet.

J.P. : How do you prepare for a game? Do you have a pre-game ritual?

T.S. : I don't eat before the games, sometimes I eat scrambled eggs and a couple of pancakes but that's about it.

J.P. : I see you've gotten bigger. What kind of lifting have you done to get so in shape?

T.S. : I just try heavy weight training in the off-season stuff like that I mean wear and tear over the is pretty crazy. I spent all off-season trying to get strong trying to get yourself ready for the season. When the season is on you don't do so much lifting so you naturally get smaller so when the off-season comes I hit it hard.

J.P.: Thanks for your time, good luck in training camp.

T.S. : Thanks

Sam Williams Interview with SITB

Raiders linebacker Sam Williams discusses his foundation, training camp and the loss of teammate Marquis Cooper.
Video by jf

Raiders Training Camp: Q and A with Nnamdi Asomugha

Felicia sits down for an in-depth interview with Raiders Pro-Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

Understanding the Greatness of the Raiders

Me interviewing 1st-round draft pick, offensive lineman Bruce Campbell and the silly red hat. - Photo by Felicia


By J.P., Jr. Reporter
Sports in the Bay – Training Camp Exclusive

On Saturday, July 31 in Napa, California I had one of the most exciting but gut checking experiences. At Raiders Training Camp working with my aunt as a junior reporter, I had one of the most respected men in the history of NFL football notice a hat I was wearing. That man was Raiders owner Mr. Al Davis.

Of all days I had decided to wear a RED North Carolina State hat. I was standing around with the other reporters and I noticed that it began to get quiet so I looked up and saw that it was Mr. Davis pulling up in a golf cart, so I smiled and said “Hello Mr. Davis” and Mr. Davis looked at me and said “What are you doing with that red hat on?” I snatched that hat off of my head so fast I almost ripped my head off. When he began pulling away I saw that he began to smile. I was scared out of my mind but then I began to think about the meaning behind his remark and I ask myself: Why be scared? You were just noticed by the owner of the Oakland Raiders for crying out loud!

After that I vowed that I will never ever wear anything red to the Raiders training camp ever again. The thing that I like about the Raiders staff is that once they began working there they become a Raider even if they don’t play for the team.

For example I was having small talk with the a security guard and I slipped up and called Mr. Davis ‘Al.’ Before I could even get the next word out he corrected me so fast and told me to call him ‘Mr. Davis’ or ‘Mr. Al Davis’.

This unforgettable incident truly gave me and inside look at the tradition and history of the Raiders. Silver and Black rolls threw everyone’s veins within the organization and they know not to ever disrespect the organization by doing something as asinine as I did.

My experience at Oakland Raiders training will always be a day of infamy and I will never forget it.

This is the true definition behind understanding the greatness of the Oakland Raiders.