Random Thoughts from the Dark Side as the Raiders break camp

(Photo by Patrick A. Patterson)

The Oakland Raiders broke training camp today, and their practices are moving back to their permanent facility in Alameda. This move means that much of the media window is closing, and the Raiders are headed back to their secretive ways. During the past month, there has been much learned about this team. They also have two more weeks to get the kinks ironed out and their pad levels down to get ready for the San Diego Chargers.

On Saturday at one, the New Orleans Saints go marching into Oakland for that all important third preseason game. This is the game where the starters will see significant time, and it will give a better idea of what to expect from the Silver and Black in the coming year.

Meanwhile, here are a few of the random things that cross my mind that don’t merit a full story.

• Mike Mitchell needs to get off the trainer’s table. For the considerable number of knocks on him that all the analysts had, durability was not one of them. He is not going to be able to fulfill his mission to shut them up until he can take the field and play.

• The Raiders got roundly panned for selecting Darrius Heyward-Bey over Michael Crabtree. Now, if the Raiders had selected Crabtree and this holdout was happening, the Raiders would be roudnly panned. Instead, this is backburnered.
• Tom Cable allegedly has a mean right cross.
• In case you were under a rock, Michael Vick played in a preseason game tonight. He did the crime and the time. Now let it go.
• The Saints are playoff contenders, and the Raiders have become the punchline. This must be bizarro world.
• Raiders need to get better at stopping the run. This is not a post from 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, or 08. Something has got to give.
• Oh wait, the Raiders run defense has been giving. Way too much.
• I will be at the Saints game, but won’t be making the trek to Seattle.
• Thanks to all you guys for sticking with us as we made our move to our new spot. This should be our lst move for a while. If you have any thoughts or suggestions for us, don’t hesitate.
• I will be back tomorrow with TFDS Predicts.