The NFL offseason seems to get shorter each year, but still is a time for unbridled enthusiasm.
With that in mind, I'd like to present you my dream season for my beloved Oakland Raiders. In no way do any grudges I may hold over the past 35-plus years of devotion sway my emotions.
April 26-27 - Draft weekend
Darren McFadden is still available at No. 4 and is proud to model his black jersey in NYC. After that, I'm really not educated enough to comment on other college players, and don't like to pretend I do, as far too many NFL fans do. I would love to see us pick up a pass-rushing DE and maybe an OG in the later rounds.
As a raucous full house cheers on a revamped Raider defense, the "O" steals the show, as full-time starting QB JaMarcus Russell throws for 3 TDs and 326 yards including a 73-yard touchdown pass to newly acquired Javon Walker. It is Oakland's first win against the Texans in team history.
Week 2 - Oakland @ Baltimore
In early-third-quarter action with the score tied at 10, Ray Lewis is carted from the field after a Zach Miller knee to the head leaves him unable to continue. Miller is the recipient of a Russell 17-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, proving to be the difference in a defensive battle. Oakland prevails 17-13, with second year Russell improving day by day.
Week 3 - Oakland @ Denver
Pre-game warm-ups prove to be hazardous, when at the direction of Mr. Davis, a down and out fastball from Russell splits the nose of head coach Mike Shanahan. Though purely an innocent mistake, the ferret-faced coach Shanahan can be heard screaming profanities at Mr. Davis on his was to the trainer's room. Oakland wins the game 20-10 on a combined 216-yard rushing effort from RBs Michael Bush and McFadden.
Week 4 - Carolina @ Oakland
DeAngelo "Fall"? Not hardly, as newly acquired CB DeAngelo Hall limits WR Steve Smith to two catches for 17 yards while returning an INT 66 yards for a TD, helping the Raiders hold on to a 24-23 victory.
Week 5 - Oakland @ San Diego
With the usual 25 percent of this crowd cheering for the Silver and Black, things turn a bit ugly. After a rare Russell interception, C Jake Grove is ejected from the game after dashing to the San Diego sideline and beating QB Philip Rivers within an inch of his life.
His ejection and personal foul proves costly, as the Chargers squeak out a 17-16 victory. In a postgame interview, Grove is quoted as saying "That whiny-ass punk was talking smack to my quarterback. You just don't do that to one of ours."
Week 6 - Kansas City @ Oakland
In a game reminiscent of AFL years gone by, the Chiefs and Raiders put on an offensive spectacle.
With Kansas City leading 48-45, the Raiders march 87 yards in the game's final 1:26, leaving them with a fourth and goal from the Chiefs one-yard line and three ticks remaining on the clock. Stunning the crowd, Oakland bypasses a chip-shot FG and delivers the knockout blow with a McFadden waltz into the end zone behind soon to be All-Pro T Robert Gallery. Final score Oakland 52, Kansas City 48.
Week 7 - New York Jets @ Oakland
The bye week proved to be fruitful, as the Raiders came out blazing. With touchdown receptions from WRs Ronald Curry and Johnnie Lee Higgins, and a three-sack performance from DE Jay Richardson, Oakland completely dominates the hapless Jets in a 34-6 beatdown.
Week 8 - Oakland @ Tampa Bay
FS Michael Huff continues his Pro-Bowl season by intercepting Bucs QB Jeff Garcia three times. Walker goes for 191 combined yards, including a 71-yard end around on the game's first offensive play. The 31-16 Oakland victory marks only the second loss of the season for the Buccaneers, who lose RB Carnell "Cadillac" Williams for a second straight year with a torn MCL.
Week 9 - Oakland @ Miami
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