Oakland Raiders: Hanging Tough On The Turf Against Dallas Cowboys
Data is everywhere and it helps us think.
A comparison of the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders gives more insight on the possibilities during the first practice game of 2010.
A tweet from one sportswriter let this B/R senior writer know that the Oakland Raiders are going to have to "hang tough" because one of the players has a concussion.
.jpg?w=256 "Cowboys Giants Football")
.jpg?w=256 "49ers Aiyuk Arrest Football")
His tweet said, "No Chaz (on field, not practicing) or Murphy. Guessing the days of quick return in NFL from concussions are over. Practice in pads."
Well, the reference of practice in pads was encouraging news because it is believed that "a full-padded practice increases the competitive drive and intensity."
It is also encouraging to know that Tom Cable remains positive saying:
"It actually is a good thing...because you're getting Jacoby, Watkins, all those guys are getting more reps."
I must admit that just hearing about what's happening made me muster up the energy to dig up data. Here is a chart:
| Dallas | Oakland | Year | Compare | with Oakland | |
| 12 | 9 | 1978 | < | ||
| 11 | 9 | 1979 | < | ||
| 12 | 11 | 1980 | < | ||
| 12 | 7 | 1981 | < | ||
| 6 | 8 | 1982 | > | ||
| 12 | 12 | 1983 | = | ||
| 9 | 11 | 1984 | > | ||
| 10 | 12 | 1985 | > | ||
| 7 | 8 | 1986 | > | ||
| 7 | 5 | 1987 | < | ||
| 3 | 7 | 1988 | > | ||
| 1 | 8 | 1989 | > | ||
| 7 | 12 | 1990 | > | ||
| 11 | 9 | 1991 | < | ||
| 13 | 7 | 1992 | < | ||
| 12 | 10 | 1993 | < | ||
| 12 | 9 | 1994 | < | ||
| 12 | 8 | 1995 | < | ||
| 10 | 7 | 1996 | < | ||
| 6 | 4 | 1997 | < | ||
| 10 | 8 | 1998 | < | ||
| 8 | 8 | 1999 | = | ||
| 5 | 12 | 2000 | > | ||
| 5 | 10 | 2001 | > | ||
| 5 | 11 | 2002 | > | ||
| 10 | 4 | 2003 | < | ||
| 6 | 5 | 2004 | < | ||
| 9 | 4 | 2005 | < | ||
| 9 | 2 | 2006 | < | ||
| 13 | 4 | 2007 | < | ||
| 9 | 5 | 2008 | < | ||
| 11 | 5 | 2009 | < | ||
The tweet caused a little concern, so I did some research on the first team the Oakland Raiders were set to encounter during the preseason. Some folks say that the preseason games don't count, but many of us were taught that "practice makes perfect" and that practice does count.
As you know, the first preseason game is Aug. 12; a road game. The players are hanging tough and will definitely toughen up in preparation for their encounter with the Dallas Cowboys.
In the chart, the years that the Oakland Raiders performed equal to or better than the Dallas Cowboys are made bold.
Yes, the seven years of struggle do stand out, but with the team being manned and coached differently, there are grounds to still have faith that the outcomes are going to be better than previous years.
So, hang tough out there during camp. Get prepared and press toward the mark of victory!
.jpg?w=480 "Cowboys Giants Football")
.jpg?w=480 "49ers Aiyuk Arrest Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Giants Eagles Football")
