Oakland Raiders’ Young Core Must Lead Their Resurgence
The Oakland Raiders enter the 2016 NFL season, with a new sense of confidence brought on by the influx of new talent, led by a dynamic young-core.
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It appears to be a new day in “Raider Nation”. No longer does a cloud of gloom and doom hover over the Oakland Raiders training facility, in Alameda, California. There seems to be a new feeling of optimism and swag with this version of the Silver and Black.
The sentiment that the Raiders may finally be in position to restore some of that “Raider Mystique” — which had disappeared under a pile of losing seasons and failed draft picks — is not just confined to the city of Oakland though. It’s a sentiment that is widely shared throughout the league.
No longer is there a sense of hopelessness attached to the Raiders name whenever an “NFL expert” on TV or radio is asked to evaluate the team.
Many league insiders see the Raiders as a team on the rise and a legitimate playoff contender. Oakland has been picked by many to conceivably challenge the division champions, Denver Broncos.
The Broncos’ offseason has been tumultuous, filled with roster changes and contract disputes, following their Super Bowl triumph over Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.
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The talk of a possible Raiders’ resurgence that will lead them back to greatness primarily stems from the young, dynamic talent that currently calls Oakland home. The Raiders’ charge out of the AFC basement and back to respectability , is being led by an exciting core of young players who have unlimited potential.
Derek Carr, Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper are the driving forces behind the reversal of attitude, expectations, and hopefully fortunes in Raider Nation. Oakland’s third year signal caller is already being compared to one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, Brett Favre.
Carr has been said to have that same “gunslinger” attitude that was the hallmark of Favres’ career, but the former Green Bay Packer great sees more than just a gunslinger in Carr.
"“I think he’s a little more polished, and I mean that with all due respect. I think he’s done a tremendous job with Oakland and I like the way he plays, Farve told CSN Bay Area’s, Amy Guiterrez, as reported by Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com."
Carr’s development into a franchise quarterback hinges somewhat on the development of another young Raider phenom, Amari Cooper. The former Crimson Tide star is only entering his second NFL season, but has a Pro Bowl and a year of NFL battles under his belt already.
During Cooper’s rookie campaign he pretty much let his play do all his talking. The rookie standout rarely changed his somewhat stoic demeanor and was a man of few words.
The second year Pro Bowl player may be coming out of his shell though, and seems ready to set the league on fire, according to his fellow starting wide receiver, Michael Crabtree.
"“It’s one year and every year adds experience, Crabtree told NFL.com. “It’s one of those things when you have talent like that you just build off of it, really with the knowledge of the game"
Even Derek Carr noticed a difference in his second year receiver.
"“He’s has always been very special, but now he’s more open, Carr stated."
Khalil Mack, gives the Raiders a defensive force not seen in a Silver and Black uniform since Raiders’ Hall of Famer Howie Long, was terrorizing opponents in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
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Mack may only be entering his third full season in the NFL, but he’s already getting praise hurled his way from his peers and NFL historians alike.
Not only was Mack voted by a panel of 50 media members to the 2015 Associated Press All-Pro team — in just his second professional season — Khalil made history by becoming the first player selected at two different defensive positions (defensive end-outside linebacker).
The young, dominant force is definitely not going unnoticed by his peers, who ranked Mack 13th, on the NFL network’s “Top 100 NFL Players” rankings show.
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The Raiders’ future is bright. But present day hard work and leadership from their talented young core is going to be needed in order for them to raise themselves out of the playoff graveyard and into the realm of the NFL elite.