Jun 11, 2013; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen at minicamp at the Raiders Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Dennis Allen isn’t listening to all the hype out there about the Oakland Raiders.  He doesn’t buy into the hubbub about this teams’ lack of veteran players, a first string quarterback, or a #1 receiver.  Per his own statement, “I know there’s a lot of experts out there that might think differently, but I like this football team.”

When asked about mandatory mini-camp and how it went this past week, Allen said, “I thought this was a good camp. I thought we improved. I thought we got better. I like this football team. I like their mentality. I like where we’re at. I like the way they’re working.”

Allen should know how the team is doing, because he is on the front lines each and every day.  It was Allen who opened the door to what new Offensive Coordinator Greg Olson is preaching, “Adaptability.”  The Oakland Raiders offensive scheme is adapting to the players that are going to be on the field.  The players don’t have to conform to an idea, because the idea is being built around them.

The football world doesn’t view the Raiders as contenders this year, but Coach Allen disagrees with that assessment.  Much focus has been on the Raiders 2012 record of 4-12.  A lot of experts believe that the Raiders don’t stand a chance in the AFC West, because Denver and Kansas City are making moves to be the power house.  Coach Allen is just fine with the underdog role.

It’s too early to make any logical assessments of this team.  No games have been played.  Training Camp and Pre-Season are just around the corner, but no one can predict the future of any football club.  We all like to speculate as to who will be in the playoffs and Super Bowl, but we won’t know the answer to that question until January of 2014.

Ask Raider Nation how the Oakland Raiders will fare in 2013, and most of us will tell you that the team is going to the Super Bowl.  All fans want their team to be in the next Super Bowl.  Why wouldn’t Raider Nation want ours to be there as well, don’t we deserve it?  Ask Coach Allen what he thinks of his team and he simply says, “I like this team.”

May 28, 2013; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

“Great coaching is adapting the scheme to fit the great players that you have.”  A quote made by Head Coach Dennis Allen in his media address after day 3 of mandatory mini-camp.  It’s a powerful statement.  A statement that made me think back to the teams led by the late great Vince Lombardi and Bill Walsh.  It’s reminiscent of the Bill Parcels and Bill Belichick led programs.  It speaks volumes as to what is occurring in Oakland with the Raiders.

Never mind the bashing of our quarterbacks, offensive line, running backs, wide receivers, defense, etc…  The media only sees the face value or on-paper statistical worth of a team and its players.  I look deeper.  I want to know what the inner workings are.  A lot can be said for the way the coaches and players carry themselves.  By no means do I believe that the Raiders Organization is going to come out and tell us exactly what is happening in Raiderville, but if you look into the eyes of the coaches and players you can find the truth.

The team is buying into the system.  That, in and of itself, is an interesting concept.  The teams of the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s, who have had great success all bought into a system.  The coaches of those teams didn’t whine and complain that they didn’t have great players at every position.  They worked with what they had, and they found success in the idea.

Offensive Coordinator Greg Olsen and Defensive Coordinator Jason Tarver are installing that exact scheme or concept.  They are working with what they have, and they are utilizing position competition to define the best player available.  No player has donned the pads yet.  It is merely an overview of what is to be at Training Camp.  The players have had a chance now to see the direction the coaching staff is headed.  They are buying into the system.

Like mid-terms or finals in high school or college, the players must begin studying before their big test.  Training Camp begins in July, and the players must ready themselves by utilizing this time off to study.  The players who truly care about succeeding will emerge at the top of their positions.  They are the players who will be putting in the extra hours to learn the playbook and schemes.  These are the types of players that Reggie McKenzie and Dennis Allen have brought in to play for the Oakland Raiders.

This concept, this idea, this scheme, is transforming the organization into a team that can continue to win and do well for years to come.  Although this idea is not new to the NFL, it is new to the Oakland Raiders.  Raider Nation is buying into the system, and so should the rest of the world.

Dec 30, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA;Oakland Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston (99) lays on top of San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) after he got a pass off during the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Remembering the past is a way of looking forward to the future.  I relive Raiders glory days by recalling the menacing defenses of the past.  Players like Ted Hendricks, Willie Brown, Lester Hayes, Lyle Alzado, and Howie Long always cross my mind.  These are only a microcosm of the many talented and bone crushing Raiders that were on display during their years of play, but this is how I am able to look forward to the future of our defense.

General Manager Reggie McKenzie and Head Coach Dennis Allen are doing the job of bringing in the right players.  Yesterday, Defensive End Lamarr Houston was asked if he thought chemistry was an issue for the defense.  His response was, “Reggie (McKenzie) and D.A. (Dennis Allen) did a good job of getting the guys that they want for this team and guys that fit with the team.  Chemistry is already there.”

Good and great defenses of past had one thing that made them stand out from the rest, chemistry.  Players must buy into the system that they are playing under, but players must be able to get along and be able to feed off the intensity and play of the others.  When one player is having a good day on the field, the other players must be able to channel that energy and step their games up.  This will ensure that the defense is gelling.

It takes leadership from all facets of the defense to make sure this occurs.  From the defensive line, to the linebackers, and ultimately the secondary, there must be a leader that steps up to drive the others and instill the belief that greatness can happen.  According to Coach Dennis Allen, Lamarr Houston has stepped up on the defensive line and emerged as a leader for that group.  Likewise, Nick Roach and Charles Woodson have also emerged as leaders for their respective groups.

Dec 16, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Andre Carter (97) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn (9) during the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 15-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

One quote stood out for me as I listened to Lamarr Houston’s interview.  He was asked if he thinks about getting sacks and pressuring the quarterback to improve his stats.  Houston replied, “The things I think about are team goals.  I want this team to do well.  Your personal goals only come from achieving your team goals.”

A leader is only as good as the people he or she is leading.  Greatness is only achieved when others are performing their jobs.  The only way for the others to perform their jobs well is for the great players, or leaders, to step up their game and lead by example.  It sounds like Lamarr Houston is finding that leadership.

Ultimately, with the leadership in place, the chemistry will continue and drive this defensive team to the next level.  Hearing that the defense is gelling, it makes me excited to usher in the new era of Raiders Football.  Raider Nation will be even more rowdy as the defense will fuel their fire.  A great quote from the late and great Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant comes to mind, “Offense sells tickets, but Defense wins championships.”  This quote has held true throughout the years for many teams who have won championships.  Will it hold true for the Raiders?