A decade that began with so much promise devolved into dysfunction and disappointment.
While it wasn’t all bad, the last seven years of the decade have certainly overshadowed the stellar first three.
Here is a look back at the decade that was for the Oakland Raiders with hopes of a better future.
2000
Record: 12-4, AFC West Champions, lost to Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens in AFC Title Game
Head Coach: Jon Gruden
Summary: The Wonder Kid head coach with the Chucky scowl takes the Raiders out of 90’s mediocrity with a journeyman thrower that he helped to mold into a  franchise QB.
Leading Passer: Rich Gannon [...]

Congratulations to Nnamdi Asomugha and Shane Lechler for being named to the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster.
This is the second consecutive year in which the pair will appear in the Pro Bowl representing the Oakland Raiders. Both are widely acknowledged as the best at their respective positions in all of football.
Asomugha defines the term shutdown corner as the least thrown at defensive back in the NFL while Lechler is currently chasing history with an astounding average of 51.1 yards-per-punt.
For Shane it is the fifth time he has been selected for the Pro Bowl. For Asomugha, this will be his second.
A case [...]

We already knew Sebastian Janikoswki possessed the most lethal leg in NFL history. After Sunday, he now possesses a piece of NFL history.
The Oakland Raiders all-time leading scorer boomed the 4th longest field goal anyone has ever seen in a professional football contest to conclude the first half of the Raiders clash with the Browns.
Jano’s 61-yarder is four yards better than his previous franchise best, set last year when he nailed a 57-yard attempt to defeat the Jets in OT.
Major props to Janikowski not only for this monstrous kick but also for having the best season of his pro career. Both [...]

Charlie Frye is who we thought he was.
Blame the officials all you want Raider Nation. That pathetic 23-9 loss in Cleveland falls squarely on the shoulders of Tom Cable and his selfish desire to cut off his nose in order to spite his face.
Despite a vintage penalty plagued afternoon, this game was still very winnable. At least in theory it was.
I’m going to go on the record right now: If Charlie Frye starts against the Baltimore Ravens next week, there is a 100% chance that the Raiders will succumb to their 7th straight season of 11 losses.
Maybe my memory is [...]

 
Tom Cable is standing on the precipice of history. One more win this season will equate to a total of six, the highest win total amassed by a Raider head coach in six long years. Standing in Cable’s way are the Cleveland Browns and their three wins against eleven losses.
Sounds simple, right?
Despite having won just five games all season, Cable’s Raiders have more quality wins than any other team in the NFL this year. Having beaten the Broncos, Eagles, Bengals and Steelers, it would seem an easy chore to notch win number six in Cleveland.
That was until a new life [...]

Wherever you may be, I hope you’re enjoying the day with family and friends. If you’re reading this then you’re already a member of the best family in football.
Merry Christmas and may all our Silver and Black dreams come true!
RAAAAIIIIIDDDDERRRRSSSSSS!!!!!!

The Raiders will be without fullback Luke Lawton for the final two games of the season due to suspension. Lawton has violated the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing drugs and will be ineligible for the last two games of this season. In addition, he will have to sit out two more games next year as well.
Expect Gary Russell to takeover at fullback in addition to his kick return duties. Tom Cable could also use Michael Bush and Darren McFadden together with Run-DMC motioning out of the backfield and lining up out wide as he did often against Dallas on Turkey [...]

Charlie Frye is going to get a chance to exact a little revenge on the Cleveland Browns this Sunday. After being medically cleared to participate in practice, Tom Cable wasted no time in naming Frye the starter. The Ohio native played his college ball at Akron and spent the first three years of his NFL career playing in Cleveland.
In 2007, Frye beat out top pick Brady Quinn and backup Derek Anderson for the starting job only to be benched in the season opener and then traded to the Seattle Seahawks.
In an even more appropriate twist of fate, The Frye Guy will square off [...]

Tom Cable has yet to name his starting quarterback for the clash in Cleveland this Sunday. According to reports, Cable is waiting until he gets word on the health status of both Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye before deciding on a signal caller.
Needless to say, JaMarcus Russell’s heroics in Denver were not enough to earn another chance to start. Despite leading the Raiders to a dramatic win over the Donkeys, Russell is likely to be standing on the sideline once again unless the two journeymen in front of him are unable to go this weekend.
Want a snap shot of how [...]

JaMarcus Russell might not have any Bob Marley in his iPod but Redemption Song certainly was the tune playing as he led the game winning drive in Denver.
After a week of ridicule, shame and embarrassment, Russell relieved a concussed Charlie Frye in the fourth quarter with the Raiders trailing 16-13. Two uneventful drives and one Bronco field goal later, the Silver and Black were down 19-13 and Tom Cable was staring unemployment in the face.
The drive began in typical Russell fashion with a sack and a fumble. Luckily for JaMarcus, Cooper Carlisle fell on the rock otherwise Russell would be [...]