Just a quick mid-afternoon sprint around the latest news about the Oakland Raiders and the Raider Nation for 5 September 2008, as they get ready for the big Monday Night opener against the Denver Broncos.
- Lane Kiffin doesn't see the significance of the Raider-Bronco rivalry. Meanwhile, in Denver Mike Shanahan has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm.
- Javon Walker has changed his number from 17 to 84, no word on whether or not he is changing his name to Javon Chad Ocho Quatro as well.
- After adding Ashley Lelie to the Raiders wide receiver corps, there seems to be no truth to the rumor that Ed McCaffrey has been scheduled for a work out.
- The Raiders have reshuffled their roster after the initial cuts. No word yet on whether or not the aces are up Al Davis's sleeve.
- Someone had the audacity to pick the Raiders to have a 10-6 season. Maybe this hope thing is contageous.
- Rob Ryan blames the Raiders' woes against the run on lack of scoring. Most would blame it on lack of tackling.
- From the "No Surprise Here" department: Former Oakland Raider safety Stuart Schweigert was cut from the New York Giants. That was two teams that cut him this past preseason. In unrelated news, Hiram Eugene is still on the Raiders' roster.
- He had no chance: Former University of Kentucky punter Glenn Pakulak was signed to a team with one of the the best punters in history in Shane Lechler. His phone should ring should another punter falter.
- No truth to the rumor that Lane Kiffin had Tom Cable rent a van to head to the Oakland Labor Ready to find more offensive tackle depth.
- Lane Kiffin may not see it, but the Raider Nation is ALWAYS fired up for the Denver Broncos: In related news, local glue factories and dog food plants are gearing up for an influx of Broncos, and PETA is planning a "stop the cruelty to horses" protest for halftime.