Category: Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Will the Raiders deal Khalil Mack?; Mack was a hold out, but Gruden wants him back in camp

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @957thegame

On the Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony:

Khalil Mack was a hold out during training camp, and on Wednesday, the top story coming out of the Oakland Raiders was putting Mack on the trade block. Raiders head coach Jon Gruden said last season Mack didn’t even pick off a pass until the 14th week of the season.

Gruden went on to say that the Raiders weren’t very good on defense last season. Gruden was hoping that Mack gets back in camp. Gruden said the Raiders need a better pass rush. The Raiders finished in the bottom 10 in the NFL on defense. The question is–will the Raiders trade Mack?

Join Tony for the Raiders podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Is it August yet? San Jose State and others gather for Bay Area Football Media Day

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: Ana Kieu, Sports Radio Service

By: Ana Kieu

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — College football is just around the corner, and we’re less than five weeks away from the San Jose State Spartans’ season opener versus UC Davis on August 30. But, like you should already know, San Jose State isn’t the only Bay Area college football team, as the Stanford Cardinal and Cal Golden Bears sort of dominate on the other side of the Bay. Also, the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders are the main attractions, as they’re NFL teams that may be dawdling right now, but they’re chock-full of history. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at all the football teams the Bay has to offer–whether they’re good, bad or just okay.

California Golden Bears
Last season, the Golden Bears, who compete in the Pac-12 Conference, were led by first-year head coach Justin Wilcox and played their home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif. The Bears finished the 2017 campaign with a 5-7 record (2-7 Pac-12), which wasn’t that bad; but there could always be room for improvement.

Oakland Raiders
The Raiders recently confirmed that they’ll relocate to Las Vegas in the near future, and the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. will just be the home of one team, the Oakland A’s. Anyways, the Raiders’ fan base is very loyal, and I’m pretty sure their fans will travel to Vegas when they can. The Raiders, however, finished the 2017 campaign 6-10 and missed the playoffs, so it’s time for the team to click-clack boom, diversify their rushing attack and improve their defense under the guidance of returning head coach Jon Gruden, who previously coached the team from 1998-2001.

San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have a lot to prove, and this year should be a difficult test for general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was arguably the biggest hero towards the end of the 2017 campaign as he helped the 49ers win five games for a 6-10 record. After that, Garoppolo signed a 5-year, $137.5 million contract extension, which made him the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time. Now, the 49ers have to stay healthy and amp up their offense.

San Jose State Spartans
Oh, where should I start when it comes to the San Jose Spartans? I know, I’m an alumna who was fortunate to cover my alma mater, but there’s a laundry list of items for this team to work on. The youth movement under first-year head coach Brent Brennan was certainly a positive, but the Spartans finished the 2017 campaign with a 2-11 record (1-7 MW) and need to rebuild its secondary, then find ways to stay consistent.

Stanford Cardinal
The Cardinal–coached by head coach David Shaw–is yet another team in the Pac-12 Conference and they play their home games at Stanford Stadium. The Cardinal finished the 2017 campaign with a 9-5 record (7-2 Pac-12). The Cardinal is a pretty good team, but in college football, the offseason antics appear to be almost endless.

Notes
Washington Redskins long snapper and Cal alum Nick Sundberg turned 29 on July 29.

San Jose State has 66 freshmen and sophomore on its roster. With 14 remaining starters and 40 overall letter winners, San Jose State was selected by a media poll to finish 6th in the MW’s West Division. In addition, webflyer.com confirmed that San Jose State will have less than 7,000 air miles of travel for its 5 road games with air travel and a 300-mile round trip to Fresno, Calif. this coming season.

Stanford center Jesse Burkett was named as the Cardinal’s National Scholar-Athlete nominee. Also, Stanford star Bryce Love was named to Walter Camp Football’s Player of Year preseason watch list. Love is a human biology major and an aspiring pediatrician.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Carr looking to overcome last year’s injuries; Lynch expected to have big season; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @Raiders

On the Raiders podcast with Tony R:

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is looking at improvements over last year and who got injured last season. Will Carr be under pressure to impress head coach Jon Gruden coming into this 2018 season? Carr is backed up EJ Manuel and Connor Cook. Tony takes a look at how much confidence does Gruden have in Manuel or Cook in case they’re called into duty if Carr is out?

Running back Marshawn Lynch didn’t hit 400 yards in either 2015 or 2017, but Gruden knows that Lynch has game and will utilize Lynch who will get more carries this season. At wide out, Amari Cooper, Jordy Nelson, Martauis Bryant, Ryan Switzer, and Seth Roberts are in the wide receiver core and we take a look at how Gruden sizes up his receivers.

Gruden is hoping that Carr can get time to throw how much confidence does he have in his offensive line to get Carr time?

Tony Renteria takes an indepth look at Raiders football each week on the Oakland Raiders podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Musberger huge figure in Vegas; Raiders look to feed off his talent; Raiders fans in Oakland shocked by the change with Papa and Flores out

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: oaklandnewsnow.com

On the Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony:

Broadcast teams–they come together or they don’t come together. Play-by-play announcers like former Oakland Raiders announcer Greg Papa was and color announcer which Tom Flores was they added two different aspects, but they were able to blend together and work well together.

Brent Musberger is in replacing Papa and I’m sure there has to be some color analyst that Musberger thinks he could work well together with and that’s who’s going to be the color person for Musberger, former Raider Bill Romanowski, maybe?

This firing of Papa and Flores caught a lot of people by surprise. It didn’t look like the Raiders were going to fire Papa and Flores until maybe after the Raiders left Oakland. What you want to do is embrace your fans in Las Vegas and not alienate your fans in Oakland.

Greg Papa’s call of “Touchdown Rrrrrrrrrraiders” is iconic. I don’t know if the band-aid has been pulled off so much now or if season ticket holders in Oakland understand the business side and realize the Raiders are moving and these are business related moves.

Tony Renteria does the Raiders podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Raiders notes: Papa out, Musburger in?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @TheRaidersWire

By Jeremy Kahn

When the Oakland Raiders take the field for the first time in the preseason on August 10 versus the Detroit Lions at the Coliseum, there will be a new coach on the sidelines and possibly a new play-by-play man on the radio.

According to multiple reports, Greg Papa, who took over as the play-by-play man of the Raiders in the mid-1990s, is going to be replaced by veteran play-by-play man Brent Musburger.

The Raiders, who are moving to Las Vegas in 2020, would like to hire a play-by-play man who lives in the area, and Musburger, who retired during the 2017 NCAA Basketball season, now lives in Las Vegas.

If he is hired, Musburger and the Raiders will have agreed to a three-year deal that will include the Raiders first season in Nevada’s largest city.

Since retiring, Musburger is writing a weekly column for the Las Vegas Review Journal and is dabbling in the sports betting business.

Prior to retirement, Musburger worked for CBS from 1973-1990, and then moved to ABC/ESPN, where he worked from 1990-2017.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Key players who Raiders will heavily depend for 2018

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @E_Geerlings

On the Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony:

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in 2016 was 12-3, but broke his leg due to a sack, and in 2017, Carr suffered three broken bones in an injury. Can Carr avoid any set backs and stay healthy and how crucial will it be for the Raiders to have Carr healthy all season?

Marshawn Lynch running back was the best offensive running back in the second half of 2018. Lynch didn’t play in 2016, but came to the Raiders in 2017 and got his old self going and could be a great threat for the Raiders this season.

Amari Cooper receiver will try for better consistency this season after having troubles on the field and with injuries. Cooper had 470 yards, 37 catches, and five touchdowns.

Khalil Mack, an edge rusher, was the NFL’s defensive player of the year in 2015. Since he stayed away from mini camp 2018, will he have the impact that’s expected of him for this season?

Tony Renteria podcasts Raiders football at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Will City of Oakland City Councilmen push for lawsuit against NFL and Raiders successfully?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

nbcbayarea.com file photo: Oakland City Councilman Noel Gallo (in photo) and co-City Councilman Rebecca Kaplan with groups “We Stand with Oakland” and Forever Oakland” plan to file a lawsuit against the NFL and the Raiders for failing to not negotiate in good faith with the city to move the Raiders

On the Raiders podcast with Tony:

Oakland City Council members Noel Gallo and Rebecca Kaplan with groups “We Stand with Oakland” and “Forever Oakland” last month were considering discussing filing a lawsuit against the Raiders and the NFL due to the way the Raiders left Oakland to leave for Las Vegas. According to zennie62 a You Tube blogger who has been covering the story has stated a law suit is very likely to be filed against the Raiders and the NFL.

The Raiders have already broke ground in Las Vegas. Gallo and Kaplan are trying to get some attorneys together at no taxpayers cost to Oakland residents. The attorneys would work pro bono to sue the NFL based on the way the Raiders had left Oakland and having to leave for Las Vegas.

Gallo, Kaplan, “We Stand with Oakland” and “Forever Oakland” said that the Raiders didn’t leave the city of Oakland in good faith and the impact of the Raiders leaving takes away revenue from the city of Oakland and it’s also taking away jobs away from the city of Oakland and the Raiders didn’t negotiate in good faith.

Tony Renteria does commentary and podcasts each week on the Raiders at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Carr entering his 5th season; Carr is expected to take Raiders to new heights

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @raiders_fanly

On the Raiders podcast with Tony R:

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is entering his fifth season for the Raiders and the Raiders hope to see Carr get off to a great start and great showing for 2018. Former head coach John Madden, who came out with “Madden 19,” and gave the overall quarterback ratings.

Of the quarterback rankings, Maddon gave Carr an 82, scoring better were just the Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rogers with 99, only fared better than the Panthers’ Cam Newton 82, the Ravens’ Joe Flacco 77 and the Rams’ Jared Goff 81.

Head coach John Gruden said he was looking forward to seeing Carr throwing to wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Amari Cooper. They could be key all season.

Tony Renteria does the Oakland Raiders podcasts at http://www.sportsrdioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Trump’s travel bans concern some FIFA countries as U.S. is awarded 2026 games; Mack still no show at practices will hold out

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, welcomes representatives of the united bid — from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico — as soccer’s governing body selects its host for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow, Russia.

SERGEI KARPUKHIN / REUTERS

On the Headline Sports podcast with Tony:

The 2026 World Cup soccer questions were raised during negotiations about bringing the games to the U.S. One concern that was raised was U.S. President Trump’s travel bans and travel restrictions.

Players from various countries are concerned if they’ll be able to travel to the U.S. to play in the 2026 World Cup. There are seven banned countries not permitted to have their citizens to enter the U.S.: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Soccer players from those countries could be left out and it could cause an imbalance during World Cup competition.

The U.S., Mexico and Canada are in unison in bringing the World Cup to North America. In Canada the World Cup will visit Montreal and Toronto but Vancouver had been left off the games list but as Vancouver officials said the event is eight years down the road and anything could change between now and then.

Oakland Raiders Khalil Mack continues to be hold out. Mack missed two mandatory practices on Tuesday and Wednesday. If he misses another practice, he will be facing a large fine if he doesn’t show up for Thursday.

Mack in the final year of his $13.8 million contract under a fifth year option. If Mack continues his hold out and misses all three mandated days for workouts, he’s looking at a $84,435 fine. Head coach Jon Gruden says that one of the main reasons he took the job in Oakland was because he was looking forward to working with Mack.

Tony Renteria does Headline Sports each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s end road trip with short two-game series with Rangers in Arlington

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

chicagotribune.com file photo: Oakland A’s pitcher Sean Manaea celebrates after pitching a no-hitter in May against the Boston Red Sox. He will get the call Tuesday night in Arlington against the Texas Rangers at the Ball Park.

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland Athletics meet the Texas Rangers in Arlington for two games starting Tuesday. The A’s and Rangers have played seven games this season, and the A’s have won four games and lost three. The A’s are currently in fourth place in the American League West with a record of 31-29. The A’s won two out of three from the Kansas City Royals over the weekend and are 5-5 in their last 10 games. The A’s are 15-15 at home and 16-14 on the road. The Rangers are 25-37 and trail the first-place Seattle Mariners by 12 1/2 games. They are seven games behind the A’s for the fourth spot in the division.

The A’s will send Sean Manaea to the mound Tuesday night. Manaea, who pitched a no-hitter against Boston in April and was the AL Pitcher of the Month, did not have a good month of May. His record has dropped to 5-6, and his ERA is currently at 3.60. The A’s are hoping the big lefty can get back to the form that he exhibited in April. He will be opposed by the Rangers’ left-hander Matt Moore. Moore, who had a terrible year in 2017 with the San Francisco Giants, is not doing well with Texas. Moore is 1-5 and has an ERA of 7.89. Moore came off the DL last Wednesday and allowed five runs in 5 1/3rd innings of work. Moore is 1-2 lifetime against Oakland in six career starts.

On Wednesday, Daniel Mengden will go for Oakland. Mengden has been pitching well. In his last start against the Tampa Bay Rays, Mengden went 8 plus innings and gave up six hits and three runs. The ageless veteran, Bartolo Colon (2-3, 4.21 ERA), will be seeking his 243rd win to tie him with the great Juan Marichal for most wins by a pitcher from the Dominican Republic.

The A’s hitters have shown that they love to play on the road. The team has guys up and down the lineup that can hit the ball into the stands. Marcus Semien, Matt Chapman, Jed Lowrie, and Matt Olson will be in the infield positions. Lowrie leads the team in hitting, and Olson has found the stroke that got him 24 homers in 59 games last year. Olson had four homers in his last four games. Mark Canha, MattJoyce, Dustin Powell, and Stephen Piscotty play solid defense in the outfield, and all have produced.

The Rangers’ pitching has been less than stellar this season. Their ace, Cole Hamels, is 3-5 with an ERA of 3.63. Hamels wants out of Texas and wants to be traded to a contender. He’s hoping the Yankees will trade for him, but the Rangers may demand more than the Yankees want to give up. Colon, Matt Moore. Doug Fister and Mike Minor are not going to have opposing teams quaking in their boots.

The Rangers’ veteran third baseman, Adrian Beltre, has been on the DL a couple of times this season and he is hitting .304 but has just one home run and 13 RBIs. Big Joey Gallo hits a lot of home runs, but he also strikes out a lot and is hitting just .205. Shortstop Elvis Andrus is still on the DL with a fractured elbow, but he could return soon. Jurickson Profar and Rougned Odor fill in at short and second baseman. Odor is having an off-year, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa will see time playing second base.

Shin-Soo Choo, Delino DeShields, and Nomar Mazara will be the outfielders.

After the two-game set with Texas the A’s return home to play four with the Kansas City Royals, three with Houston, and three with the LA Angels.