by Jeremy Kahn

ALAMEDA–The Oakland Raiders are all set for the first of four games and the veteran Charles Woodson an 18 year veteran whose been in the league and he can help the Raiders out a lot with his expertise back there. Head coach Jack Del Rio is ready to use Derek Carr out there for a little while and then go with his back ups and it’s pre season and they’ll play a couple of series and they’ll go to the back up.

The Raiders will go to a couple of series and look at a few of the players that most likely won’t make the team in September. Del Rio wants to get these kids a chance under their belt to play an actual NFL pre season game. Running back Roy Helu Jr is a good ball player who played in Washington last year. Look at running back Latavius Murray and Taiwan Jones whose in his third year, let’s face it the Raiders are stacked.

The Raiders are stacked on the offense and their looking forward to seeing running back Trent Richardson, receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, Cooper who did wonders in Alabama for the Crimson Tide. Trindon Holliday is a great receiver, look out for Andre Holmes these kids are going to be good. The Raiders a just a year away from making it to the promise land and making post season.

Del Rio as a coach has a lot of experience whose worked with the Cleveland Browns in the NFL, he worked in Jacksonville, he worked in Denver, he has seen the Raiders up close up and personal. He knows the personnel he’s a local kid he knows the Raider mystique as well. There is a huge difference with the changes as opposed to last season.

The Raiders had two head coaches Dennis Allen and Tony Sparano and it wasn’t working with them and they didn’t know what they were doing and that’s why they needed to go. General Manager Reggie McKenzie said, “we need to change it up and they need to hit the bricks” and that’s what happened and the Raiders are looking for good things from head coach Jack Del Rio.

McKenzie brought in Del Rio who he’s known for a long time and McKenzie has been doing this for a long time too. This is a make or break year for the Raiders. It’s the fourth year with McKenzie and it’s time for the Raiders to get going. The Raiders fans their patient they’ve waited a long time to get to the playoffs and 2002 was eons basically.

Jeremy Kahn is the Oakland Raiders beat writer and does Raider podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

photo SF Gate