Even days later, it's difficult to wrap your arms around the enormity of Jon Gruden's forced resignation as coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. I've known Gruden a long time. As the Raiders' starting quarterback and the team leader, my brother Derek has been as close to Gruden as anyone...
NFL, Raiders Both Botched Finale at Oakland Alameda Coliseum
The NFL and the Raiders both botched the final football game at Oakland's Alameda County Coliseum as the team prepares to pack up for Las Vegas in 2020. A bad call contributed to a crushing late-game collapse by the Raiders that left the jilted Black Hole projecting venom and trash...
Raiders Finale in Oakland About Nostalgia Not Playoffs
ALAMEDA — Three straight lopsided losses means the finale at the Oakland Coliseum will be all about nostalgia instead of a playoff run. The Raiders were all but eliminated from postseason contention when they fell 42-21 to the Tennessee Titans for their franchise record-tying third straight loss by at least...
Carr's Game-Winning Drive Puts Raiders in Playoff Race
OAKLAND — Derek Carr engineered another late winning drive. Karl Joseph delivered the sealing defensive play. It may not have come easy, but the Oakland Raiders managed to pull out another dramatic victory that has put them squarely in the AFC playoff race. Josh Jacobs scored on an 18-yard run with 1:02...
Raiders Rebound in Year 2 Under Gruden to Become Contenders
ALAMEDA — Not much went right for the Raiders in the first season of coach Jon Gruden's return to Oakland with stars getting traded, losses mounting, and questions raised about whether Gruden still had it after nine seasons in the broadcast booth. Things are going much better in year two,...
Gruden's Rabble-Rousers Are Diminishing in Numbers
Jon Gruden tried retrofitting the Raiders into their renegade, rabble-rousing best for one final season in Oakland. Harkening to the time when Jack “The Assassin” Tatum patrolled the defense with a menacing stare and a villainous vibe emanated from Oakland Alameda Coliseum, Gruden added mischief-makers Richie Incognito, Antonio Brown and...
Raiders Beat Broncos 24-16 in First Game After Brown’s Release
OAKLAND — The night started with Oakland Raiders fans derisively chanting at former disgruntled receiver Antonio Brown and ended with coach Jon Gruden celebrating a victory in the Black Hole. The saga that consumed the football world for days didn't hamper the Raiders a bit. Derek Carr threw a touchdown pass on...
Raiders Prepare for Opener vs. Broncos Without Brown
OAKLAND — The Oakland Raiders once again head into a season opener having just cut ties with their most talented player. A year after dealing star pass rusher Khalil Mack to Chicago a week before the opener, the Raiders released disgruntled receiver Antonio Brown two days before opening the season...
Derek Carr Barks, Gruden Purrs in Raiders' 'Hard Knocks' Debut
NAPA — Quarterback Derek Carr angrily yelling at teammates. Jon Gruden showing a softer, gentler side for some of his younger players and ditching his trademark snarl. Vontaze Burfict politely helping an offensive linemen get off the ground. What in the name of Al Davis is going on here? The...
Derek Carr, Raiders to Get Scrutinized by 'Hard Knocks'
It's official. The Oakland Raiders' training camp will be covered wall-to-wall by HBO on its popular NFL feature, "Hard Knocks." “Everybody wants to be a Raider. Now they’ll find out what it takes to become one,” said Raiders owner Mark Davis. NFL Films Will Descend on Napa A 30-person NFL...