Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys could hold joint Training Camp practices

Aug 9, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is sacked by Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Sio Moore (55) during the first quarter at O.Co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Back in the glory days of the Oakland Raiders, then known as the Los Angeles Raiders (80’s/Early 90’s), scrimmages would be held against the Dallas Cowboys during Training Camp.  This was made possible by the fact that the Cowboys held, and still hold, their Training Camp in Oxnard, CA.  Since the Raiders were in L.A. at the time, this made perfect sense.  However, when the Raiders moved back to Oakland in 1995, the scrimmages with Dallas ceased.

Before the mayhem at the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers Pre-Season game in 2011 (San Francisco, CA), the Raiders and 49ers would hold scrimmages during Training Camp.  A thing of the past now that the NFL stepped in and cancelled their yearly meetings.

It is always good for teams to scrimmage against one another, instead of the same defense or offense day in and day out.  I know, common knowledge, but indicated nonetheless.  So it would make sense to have the Raiders and Cowboys scrimmage this season.  Since the Chargers have removed themselves from future scrimmages against the Cowboys, the Raiders see an opportunity to help improve their new players.

With the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), coaches feel like their hands are tied as far as the time they get with the players.  This would add additional one-on-one time and effort on both the players and coaches, and it would provide some game-time situations for the Raiders new offense and defense.

Let’s face it, it is an entirely new offense and defense from last year, sprinkled with a couple of the usual faces Raider Nation has seen over the past 3 years.  It would be beneficial for the growth of both the Rookie acquisitions and newly acquired Veterans.

The scrimmages would be held in Oxnard, CA, and this would give So-Cal Raider Nation/Oakland Raiders fans a chance to see their team in action near their homes.  I believe this is a great opportunity to introduce the new look Raiders to its diverse and massive fan-base.  Not to mention the fact that the Raiders would have an additional Semi-Pre-Season game against the Cowboys, albeit in shorts, shoulder pads, and helmets, but game-time situations would still play out.