1. Dallas at Oakland

Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) in the huddle against the New Orleans Saints at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas was third in the league in passing last season (I see you earned that new extension Romo). So this game will be a nice test for the secondary. Freshly signed Tracy Porter will have a chance to showcase his abilities or lack thereof against a team who passed for close to 300 yards a game. Assuming Reggie McKenzie drafts a corner or two, it should prove to be a good chance to see how truly explosive NFL passers can be. I am also personally excited to see how Taiwan Jones plays in his first NFL season as a cornerback.

2.  Oakland at New Orleans

November 18, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks to his teammates in the huddle during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints are friendlier with the end zone then Bill Clinton is with his secretaries. Third in the league in points and first in passing, the Saints will prove to be another challenge for this Raider defense. Other then watching the secondary, it will be interesting to see how the Raider’s generate a pass rush against future hall of famer Drew Brees. The former Charger may be the toughest foe to face all preseason long.

3.   Chicago at Oakland

Nov 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Michael Bush (29) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Bush will have a chance to revisit Oakland with another great rushing team. Tenth in the league in rushing last year, the Bears will test what the Raiders have been historically bad at. Stopping Matt Forte and the former McFadden backup will show Raider Nation how the new front seven will fall apart or come together. Miles Burris will be a returning Raider to watch as he enters his second season in the league.

4.   Oakland at Seattle

Aug 11, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) (left) and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Flynn (15) (right) enter the field during warm ups prior to the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Tennessee 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Of course everybody knows what the storyline of this game will be. Matt Flynn will return to Seattle and face the number one defense from 2012. This game will test the entire team as Seattle’s offense was ranked number 9 in the league. Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson will test how the defense plays against mobile quarterbacks and versatile running backs. The silver and black’s offense must find the end zone in a great preseason finale that is sure to be a shootout.

I hate the preseason. It is a month of anticipation, getting just glimpses of your team. Every week makes you just hungrier to see the real thing. Not to mention saying prayers every night in hopes nobody ends up injured (an all to common problem in Oakland). The best part of the preseason is the end of the preseason. An end that is ushered in by an Autumn Wind.

This one is already being called a stretch of “mind boggling” proportions (Mel Kiper’s words). Not even Al’s selection of Darrius Heyward-Bey was this much of a reach…now Mike Mitchell on the other hand…that’s another story…

Irvin is also the type of prospect Davis would have valued. He’s got blazing speed and for good measure has a questionable background. To add to the irony this pick comes courtesy of Pete Carroll who was famously the former coach of Al’s second football love – the University of Southern California.

Of course this is the NFL Draft. In all honesty every single pick is a reach of some kind. Everyone loves to act as if they know what will become of any and every player drafted but we know nothing until the ball is kicked on Sundays in the fall.

All this really means is one player many of us saw as a potential Raider won’t be…at least not yet. This is the NFL and you never know which path a player’s career will take. If this Irvin pick does goes bust chances are Oakland might come calling. It happened before…right Aaron Curry?

Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Yes in deed Nation, we have our first date set in stone for the premier of the 2012 Oakland Raiders. Get your popcorn ready cause it will be Raiders-Cowboys on the Monday Night preseason opener live from The Bay on August 13^th.

As of now that is the only date set in stone. Today the Raiders announced their preseason schedule. The opponents are locked as are they weeks the Raiders will play the Cardinals, Lions and Seahawks. The exact date and time has yet to be confirmed for the every game except the Monday Night opener.

You’ll take not there is no Battle of the Bay this time around. No telling when we’ll get that game back on the books. It really is a shame that a few bad apples could ruin the whole bunch. Hopefully this is just a one year hiatus.

Now one rivalry that is building back up is Raiders-Cowboys. These two have met in the preseason for three years running. It’s not the same as the regular season but you’d better believe the Bay will be rocking when them Boys come knocking.