Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen speaks to the media after the game with the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. Vikings win 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Tuesday and Wednesday’s practices and scrimmages between the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys in Oxnard will likely go down as the highlights of both teams preseason schedules as the competition between the two led to plenty of entertainment. From trash talk, to big plays, to the expected scuffles between the two teams and of course plenty of Raiders fans invading Oxnard the two day trip led to positive team bonding and needed intensity.
With that being said, head coach Dennis Allen was hopeful that the Raiders can repeat the series of practices in 2015 and that the Cowboys could visit their team’s turf in Napa. Pumping up the atmosphere in Oxnard as a huge plus even if it has yet to be determined if the two teams will join up again in the future.
“What a hell of an atmosphere to practice football in. That’s what Raider Nation is really all about, man. That was awesome to see fans come out and support us like that. It almost felt like, at times, that I had to quiet the crowd down just so we could get some plays off. It was a great atmosphere.”
“I don’t know if that’s 100 percent determined,” Allen said after Wednesday’s practice according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN. “I think there have been some preliminary discussions and we’d like to be able to do it, but again, it’s probably too early to say for sure.”
“I like doing this. I think it does nothing but help your football team.”
“Again, any time you get in these competitive environments, I think it increases the sense of urgency of your football team. I thought we got better over these last couple of days.”
Despite the scuffles, it appears that Allen is taking the attitude of most fans and players in that the Cowboys practices were positives this week. If the Raiders can build on the midweek excitement with a preseason win over the Detroit Lions on Friday expect Allen to be even more fond of his trip to Oxnard this week.