One of the bigger stories of this offseason has been the changing of the guard at the offensive helm, and while the team retains coach Al Saunders and his impressive but daunting playbook, it is widely known and accepted with mixed reactions among Raider Nation that Greg Knapp will resume duties as OC of the Oakland Raiders in 2012. With the installation of a zone blocking system, attention has shifted towards not only improving the existing offensive trenches for the silver and black, but getting them 100% ZBS ready as well. First overall selection of 2012 OT Tony Bergstrom demonstrates a quintessential zone blocker that appears to be a key cog to this year's blocking unit expected to keep Carson Palmer upright and help spring Darren McFadden to daylight with the success Houston had with Arian Foster carrying.

As the majority of the remaining picks went defensively and on much needed linebackers with the exception of receiver Juron Criner, while not the Al Davis prototype receiver with blazing speed will provide the Raiders a dangerous, chain-moving, threat the team seriously needs, the Raiders did not hesitate with undrafted free agents in taking the massive guard/tackle 6'5", 317 lb. Lucas Nix, out of Pittsburgh. A prospect with experience playing G, C, and T for Pitt, likely saw his stock find him off the board due to his knee injury keeping him inactive 2011, as well as foot tendinitis, and a brief history that might have haunted him. He has been said to possess a "mean streak" but is hampered by durability questions.

Hit the jump to read more about the Raider's new guard.

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As expected, Reggie McKenzie and the Raiders wasted no time once the draft ended in moving on undrafted free agents. Among them, 6'3", 238lb. TE Derek Carrier from Beloit college. These stories from fellow SB Nation affiliates report interest in the Wisconsin native from teams like the Broncos, Jaguars, and Seahawks, but it appears the Raiders have won his services for now. Here's a link to the Beloit Buccaneers Athletics page with a profile.

Hit the jump for more on Carrier, Brandon Carswell, and Thomas Mayo.

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If you missed them here's 1995-2000, 2001-2007, and we'll get started here on 2008-present.

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Here's the first installment of first and second rounders if you missed it: Oakland Raiders 1st and 2nd rounders 1995-2000

We'll start in 2001 and continue with our examination of the picks the Raiders will be without this year as the Nation awaits it's first opportunity coming late the second day. The consensus here is that Raiders' initial picks will come on the defensive side of the ball, likely at linebacker, with many assuming it will be DT Josh Chapman out of Alabama too.

Hit the jump to see how Raider selections worked out from the start of last decade to 2007; check back shortly to bring us to the present:

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With the draft set to begin tomorrow and an impatient Raider Nation having to wait out day 1 and part of day 2 without picks, it seemed like a look at the Raiders 1st and 2nd round success, or lack thereof, in the last decade and a half would be in order.

Last year, the team and Raider Nation also had to wait out the first round, as the first pick was traded to the New England Patriots the prior year for Richard Seymour, whom most say is a first rounder well spent, and in comparison to other teams' hits and misses any guy who remains a starter is definitely better than most. The second overall yielded Stefen Wisniewski, who will likely be a starter for the next decade, and is a B+ at least so far.

This year, Carson Palmer will provide the gunslinger and who many would argue can be a franchise quarterback in whom McKenzie and Allen are fully invested, at least for now and the 2012 season. The second rounder, provided Joseph Barksdale and Taiwan Jones, two young and promising players who have done well to find themselves among starting lineups throughout the 2011 season and also look to be a part of the Raiders future and McKenzie and Allen's plans going forward.

So, without further ado, the 1st and 2nd rounders starting in 1995, after the jump:

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The linebacker theme continues in Oakland with the workout of the 6,1" 232 lb. Hoffman-Ellis who is a California native from Los Angeles. My good friend Max Strauss of Prointerviews.org broke the news, as he just so happens to be one of the latest of his interviews at 130 you can find HERE. Some of you are already familiar with his site, for others it's worth checking out. This link is a must read interview and contains a good 13 minute clip of Hoffman-Ellis on film.

Turning in a 4.54 40 time at the combine, the fleet-footed and lighter Hoffman-Ellis looks to fill the role of cover backer and would add depth to a linebacker unit in dire need. In 35 games at Washington State, Hoffman-Ellis boasts 33 starts getting 253 tackles, breaking up seven passes, and intercepting four balls with two returned for touchdowns. The Raiders have not had a player of this mold since Thomas Howard. Stryker Sulak and Slade Norris were recent swings and misses to fill this spot, and the team remains very much in need of a backer capable of keeping up with today's faster, tweener TEs, and with Gates, Moeaki regular opponents. It's likely most teams will look to find mismatches at TE this year as well.

Boards are currently projecting him around 15-20th linebacker selected, with CBSsports.com projecting him 158 overall. This draft is looking to be rich with a broad spectrum of linebackers bringing an ever broader array of skill sets, which should serve McKenzie and Allen well this Friday and Saturday.

Thanks also to Max Strauss for providing the images.

Reggie McKenzie has done a stellar job with the hand dealt him as new GM of the silver and black. Of course, the real results remain to be seen, but simply addressing the huge, "out of whack" contracts and others restructured to make moves possible, filling glaring holes with serviceable and young free agents and trades, and largely putting the team in position to truly go after best player available as indicated in multiple press conferences make it at this point a big success.

So with that, here's a look at how the moves stack up and determine if that will ultimately paint the dynamic for how Raider selections might be looking on McKenzie and staff's draft boards. We know the team is working with only five picks this time around with the initial selection coming at 95 overall. ESPN's Dennis Renno points out here how those Raider picks dealt away resulted in acquiring Palmer for the highest picks, ultimately Joseph Barksdale and Taiwan Jones for the second rounders with the Patriots, Terrelle Pryor with the 3rd, Jason Campbell in 2010 for the 4th, and last but not least, Aaron Curry for the 7th rounder. Renno says the picks "yield early treasure." They definitely provided the Raiders with some valuable players, and appear to have been well spent.

The current roster on the defensive side after the jump:

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At 2:20 pm on day 4 of free agency official word has come out from the Oakland Raiders that Kamerion Wimbley is released before his contract became official tomorrow and the Raiders would have been obligated to pay out the remaining terms of the astronomical contract awarded him last year by the late Al Davis days before the lockout.

This puts the Raiders in the neighborhood of some $15 million below the cap, and that number can still improve should Tyvon Branch come to terms with the Raiders for a deal more favorable for the current cap situation than would come with his signing the franchise tag.

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With latest headlines claiming the Miami Dolphins are out of the battle for Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos flying reps out to NC for a Friday workout, Raider Nation settles into a distinct two camps: one that stands united in support of the brazen tearing down of the roster assembled by the former regime and new GM Reggie McKenzie in wait for gems believed he will find in subsequent waves of free agents, another that watches in horror as division rivals Broncos, Chiefs, and Chargers sign contracts to address roster deficiencies whilst they only mount in Oakland.

Perhaps, a roll call is now in effect:

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The Raider Nation is an antsy and anxious group for whom inactivity and periods without games spell forecasts of doom and gloom, and it is indeed rare to witness days pass by while dozens of players visit facilities, agree to deals, or move on the next suitor. So far the only confirmed player to visit the Raiders is G Mike Brisiel, and it's uncertain if the team will proceed with the former Texan guard.

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The addition by subtraction continues as the Raiders and fledgling GM Reggie McKenzie continue to clear up cap space by eliminating contracts that had them in trouble. Had you for some reason been away or off the grid this entire offseason and missed the passing of the late Al Davis and the hiring of its first GM in nearly a decade, you might already have a pretty good idea that a new era has definitely begun in Oakland and Alameda.

For the first time in a long time the Raiders are appearing patient in the frenzy of transactions occurring across the NFL, and while nearly every other move made and contract signed for which immediate dissections begin, it's not the Raiders this time around at the top of these discussions. Thus far, only Mike Brisiel has visited Oakland, with a WILLIAMSON rumor there is interest in Ron Bartell formerly of St. Louis Rams. A lower tier CB and a pretty good G with not a lot of experience coming off a bad injury... not exactly shaking up the world. It does appear an evident pattern is bubbling to the surface.

Hit the jump to discuss possibilities the free agency period might--or might not--offer before the draft begins.

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With headlines telling of 7 year extensions for Calvin Johnson and others like Trent Cole of the Eagles and 49er Carlos Rogers are also retained before market interest can even fully develop, the Oakland Raiders have yet to get involved pursuit of free agents. The Indianapolis Colts traded for Winston Justice and swapped sixth rounders to hit their cap to the tune of some $4 million.

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So the earliest headlines on free agency reveal it's mostly teams making moves to keep commodities before offers come in, like Marques Colston and his five-year deal in New Orleans. Jason LaCanfora's latest numbers say the Raiders are looking at $640K to work with, and I'm not sure who to believe when it comes to cap numbers, especially silver and black ones.

In the NFL, it's wise to ignore most trade and FA rumors and believe transactions occur when they are announced, and our Raiders are no exception; however, it's pretty safe to say that where the Raiders stand now excludes them from the top percentile of guys available out there, strictly because they don't have the means, and mortgaging the future for now is probably a thing of the past.

For now, tags and tenders remain unsigned, and hopefully some contracts will be drawn that give the team further relief from the cap they're currently up against. This doesn't mean they'll be inactive in pursuit whatsoever, and new GM Reggie McKenzie could be hard at work looking for diamonds in the rough that can help this Raider team get better. It does mean that without further significant cuts, an unexpected trade, or Al's cap magic from beyond, they don't have a lot of $ to offer.

Ahoy Raider Nation! With free agency set to begin in just a matter of days, the speculation is all over the board, and it's tough to nail down just what the Raiders will do with who, where, how and why, and even if they will... in free agency. Levi has done a brilliant job looking at myriad possibilities that have been met with mixed reactions.

We'll probably all be surprised a little by a few things, some pleasantly and others not, but I don't think I'm alone in believing the team's linebacker corps needs help to get them back to being a dominant defensive machine, similar to those greats in the past with guys like Ted Hendricks, Phil Villapiano and Matt Millen.

While we may disagree greatly on the reasons why our defense struggled last season here and throughout Raider Nation, one can't dismiss the fact that they started off at a major disadvantage beginning last season with the holes at linebacker, and one can argue they did little to show they truly aim to field a dominant and capable unit.

Hit the jump to look at prospective 2012 linebacker personnel, and we'll toss around some ideas about who could help this team and how...

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So a do or die game approaches for the 2012 Oakland Raiders at the O.co coliseum, and as I've said if indeed this final game vs. the San Diego Chargers should have playoff implications I'd be obliged to attend. You see, I purchased season tickets with intentions to maybe attend three or four games and sell the rest to help finance more long round trips, similar to how I did last season, but already attended more than I had planned, and also figured this being the New Year's holiday, that I might be travelling or elsewhere. Since I already gave my seat to another friend of my good friend with whom I share the two seats in the Black Hole, I thought to take advantage of the next season down payment offer for two free tix, but unfortunately just missed out on the final allotted seats.

So, I purchased two more seats for my very pregnant Patriots' fan wife and I, in the section above the Black Hole, between the goal posts, where I will probably buy next year as well. Of course, for the two of us the questions have already surfaced: Will he be a fan of the Oakland Raiders, or the New England Patriots?

Hit the jump to read on...

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The stories of the Oakland Raiders' opponent in Green Bay Sunday and their potential path to perfection have already grown tiresome. The Raiders' face plant on the road last week in Miami did little to inspire confidence in those who've doubted the Raiders, and even believers are hard pressed to predict a Raiders' win given the many injuries and inability to find the end zone or any semblance of consistency and relief from the dreaded penalties that haunt us, stalling drives or moving the chains for opponents, often giving prime red zone scoring opportunities.

But this Sunday's game offers a unique opportunity to those the prior weeks and chances to establish a division lead alone: it's an opportunity to turn the NFL world upside down.

Bear with me here... and hit the jump to read on

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Beyond Al Davis, there is perhaps no other name more synonymous with the Oakland Raiders than John Madden. This 235 page chronicling of the life and career of this brilliant football mind is a literary achievement for Bryan Burwell, and is a must read for any fan of football, but especially fans of silver and black. From his first impressions on Al Davis himself to his induction in the hall of fame by Al and the homage to the many hall of famers who played under Madden in his illustrious ten year career as coach of those great Raider teams and all those great games, and the impressive winning records he held against so many hall of fame coaches that made it in before him.

Burwell takes us on a ride and backstory after backstory weaves us through so many of those great situations we've heard over the years as fans of the Raiders, as fans of the game who grew up with Madden broadcasting so many of those games, and even playing the video game John takes so much pride in that has come so far.

via www.triumphbooks.com

Read about how he was finally inducted and how the committees came to think they had missed the boat many times before, or about how he and Al Davis were pioneers in helping to erase the color lines that bound the league from becoming its best. Read about how he was the lone soul to stay at Darryl Stingley's bedside following the tragic incident that left him paralyzed. Read about how he called coach Tom Coughlin following their battle vs. the New England Patriots in the final game of a season to thank him for upholding the integrity of the game, and how Coughlin's replaying the speech helped spur the New York Giants to a victory over the Patriots in that super bowl. It's filled with too many great stories I'd be spoiling by giving details, and even offer some different insight on Raider incidents with which many of us are familiar. This excerpt from chapter eight, page 88, a quote from John Madden on the notion Al Davis was calling plays down to the field:

"I read that shit he would call plays in games, call down during games... Well, there was no way it could have happened. First of all, I never wore a headset. Look at any of those old NFL Films tapes and tell me when you ever saw me with a headset on. It never happened. The quarterback always called the plays in our offense. And the real truth was, while I gave the quarterback all the power to call the game the way he wanted to, I had done my work training them all week, every week since the start of training camp, to think exactly the way I think. So Kenny [Stabler] or Lamonica or Blanda may have been calling the plays, but it wasn't 'their plays'."

The book is a quick read, rife with details about childhood friend from Daly City, John Robinson and how the two would remain lifelong friends and see each other become two of the most successful football coaches in the history of the game. It reads at times like an exciting anecdotal account of so many significant moments throughout Madden's career, transporting us back to the times and moments where they occurred, and tying together so many memories we've formed from when these events took place. Even for youth who haven't had the fortune of growing up with John, you'll come away feeling as if you know this man who is hugely responsible for helping the game become what it is today.

Check out the link for where to purchase. Once again, this book is a must have for any Raider fan, and I'm certain some of us have already found and bought it. Madden's passion and dedication to the sport have made him one of those quintessential success stories. After reading the book and revisiting the subject, it's pretty clear that any coach aspiring to be great could learn a thing or two from emulating one of the best to have ever graced the sidelines. I look forward to coaching some organized ball one day, and I hope to acquire even a shred of the qualities John exemplified as a coach, and as a human being.

It was my first experience with the author, and I am now a fan for life. John, wherever you are, Raider Nation looks forward to your midas touch on our organization in whatever capacity you should deem appropriate! Thanks from all of us for everything you've given us and football in all your years.

The 2011 Oakland Raiders are statistically among the team's worst in several categories, almost entirely due to the teams' propensity to commit penalties that give up third down conversions when the defense makes key stops, and giving opposing teams first downs in scoring situations, and offensive ones that negate clutch chain moving drives and even change outcomes and momentum of games. We have long known that the Raiders are typically league leaders in penalties per game, and even historically the great teams of Raiders past have had to compensate and overcome the yardage and conversions lost to penalties; this year's team is no different.

We also know that the brand of Raider football we expect to see means we'll draw a few more flags than the other guy, and essentially do not wish to see that characteristic of silver and black gridiron change. What we do wish for, is for the costly stupid penalties to come to an end, and we want it to happen now. The false starts. The neutral zone infractions. The personal fouls for getting caught up in the hoopla and taking the bait of opponents who look to take advantage of this aspect of our game.

Hit the jump for some great links from Aleatoric on the subject, and some awesome video work from NinjaGoro highlighting where we continue to struggle.

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While the world tosses around the rumors of whether Carson Palmer will start for our Oakland Raiders vs. The Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday with the general consensus among headlines saying its yes, coach Hue Jackson says he'll announce it Friday, when the decision will be made as well. Vittorio Taffur and Paul Gutierrez say to read between the lines. The bigger story to me, is that this game hasn't sold out already. The buzz is that we're close, and while I'm confident it will, I remain surprised that the possibilities this week has to offer hasn't already filled the stands.

The impressive 8 win streak in the division hasn't been enough, nor has the chance that we'll see a new defensive unit that looks to be very solid with the recent additions of LB Aaron Curry and safety Chinedum Ndukwe. While the majority of fan perspectives I've seen were prepared for the possibility Kyle Boller would start and that he could win versus KC, none were too excited at the prospect. Most believe we can win the game without spectacular play from the QB. The possibility Pryor gets some action is growing too... I'm predicting the defense will be the bigger story of the game, and could flash some brilliance that we can expect as this unit gels.              .... hit .....  the.... jump....

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If you missed the first quarter action, you can find it HERE.

without further ado, hit the jump for the rest of the half's personnel packaging extravaganza. This ain't your typical Raiders...

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Here's the first quarter and into the second to complete the Raider's initial scoring drive. A lot of attention on the offense shows in the execution of plays here, and we use a lot of fake reverses and motions to help the plays work against coverages and looks effectively most of the time. Defense, even though mostly stout in the first half, already showing it's susceptible to big plays, overpursuit, and an overall lack of discipline. At this point, I believe we're a couple of guys away from being an all star defense, and that the existing personnel sans Nnamdi Asomugha especially won't be good enough to get it done most games and will have to rely on luck to win the tough ones.

I see the division up in the air because KC is damaged, Denver needs to grow, but SD is flat out better than us this year and we'll have to be better to even beat them once this year. I don't see anyone on our defense able to cover Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, Legedu Naanee, and Antonio Gates. We'd have a hard time with any two of these guys.

Hit the jump to get personnel grouping, play by play, and how it went for the first, and into the second.

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