Oakland Raiders identity starting to show

Aug 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio during the preseason NFL game against the St. Louis Rams at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders have struggled for so long because the team hasn’t had any type of identity except the identity of being a losing franchise for the past decade plus in the AFC West. The identity of a franchise is what the team does well, which comes from the combination of scheme of the coaching and the talent on a roster. Along with that is the culture and personality of the team, starting at the top of the organization.

This year, it looks like GM Reggie McKenzie and head coach Jack Del Rio have it together. McKenzie has gathered talent the last couple of years and Del Rio has put together a solid coaching staff this year to use that talent. The Raiders can now say, “This is what we do well,” creating an identity, something every winning team needs.

I don’t know what that means in terms of wins this year but the team is much better than last year. After all these years of losing, the Raiders finally have an identity, something winning teams have. And many parts of it came out in their first preseason game against the St. Louis Rams.

Turn the page for a closer look at it.

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