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“Silver & Black–Back?”

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It’s Jon Gruden’s team now.

He may have had success the first go-round as head coach under Al Davis, but make no mistake about it, it was Mr. Davis’ team.

Current owner, the son, Mark Davis has made it plain and simple. The job of GM-Reggie McKenzie, is to go get the players Gruden wants for the 2018-season.

This after a year of disappointment, setbacks, losses, and the failure to rally the franchise for a playoff run in 2017.

And Gruden has been busy.

The Raiders, an offense anchored by QB-Derek Carr, with a defense led by LB-Khalil Mack, have overhauled the roster.

The Raiders have added 21-veteran players thru free agency and trades since early March. There’s no doubt there will be more gas in the tank on offense, and they believe thee will be strength in numbers with the haul of defensive players they have brought in.

They rid themsleves of record setting kicker Sebastain Janikowski, veteran WR-Michael Crabtree, return man Cordarelle Patterson, and big-time punter Marquette King, not alot of blood letting for a franchise that added 9-draft picks to the 21-veterans.

The new firepower includes ex Packers receiver Jordy Nelson, and the just acquired deep pass receiver Martavis Bryant from the Steelers. Add to that explosive ex-Giants-Cowboys kick returner Dwayne Harris. Amari Cooper has some quality help.

In the backfield, Marshawn Lynch returns, and will be complimented by twice 1,400-yard rusher Doug Martin from Tampa Bay.

Gruden has decided to ‘rent-a-vet’ on defense after watching film of last year’s very young defense buckle under the seige of NFL quarterbacks, who picked apart a green-inexperienced laden group.

Veteran DBs-Shareece Wright, S-Marcus Gilchrist, Rashaan Melvin, Leon Hall and Saquon Golson will bring worlds of experience, as starters and in sub-packages.

A woefully young defensive front, will not be hurt by the addition of Tank Carradine and others.

Gruden added young athletes in the draft…in UCLA OT-Kolton Miller…tough guy DT PJ Hall….LSU pass rusher Arden Key…plus Michigan’s DT-Maurice Hurst, cleared after a heart problem.

Gruden has come off as mad scientist. It will be fun to watch him mix-and-match so many new faces into the team’s chemistry.

They have the quarterback, they have tons of experience in the offensive line, they have a power pair of running backs, now some veteran go to receivers, and now they have a bunch of veterans to work with kids on defense.

Under Gruden, the Silver & Black will likely make people Black & Blue with a very unique blend in the roster.

Silver and Black-Back….appears to be.

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