As soon as I thing that I have heard of everything in regards to Al Davis and how he runs the Raiders, something like this pops up --

Angered by the Oakland Raiders' 2-6 start, team owner Al Davis asked his front office staff to explore the possibility of releasing several players, including cornerback DeAngelo Hall, according to multiple sources.

The Raiders are expected to release Hall on Wednesday, sources told ESPN's Michael Smith.

The process started on Monday, a day after the Raiders' embarrassing 24-0 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Davis, looking ahead to rest of the season and to 2009, asked his staff to study a list of potential players who could be let go before the end of the week or after the season, sources said.

One source said the list included more than a dozen names. The Raiders' front-office staff studied the cap consequences of releasing high-priced veteran players. He also wanted his staff to see if other teams might claim any of these players on waivers.

The team was planning on making the move to release Hall on Tuesday before holding off, according to NFL.com. The Raiders have paid Hall $8 million for eight games, and also gave Atlanta a second-round pick for his services.

NFL.com reported the move to waive him now helps the Raiders avoid paying Hall $16 million worth of injury-guaranteed bonuses in his contract.

Hall has 48 tackles and three interceptions for the Raiders, including a season-high eight tackles last week against the Falcons.

Hall isn't the only Raider under consideration for release. Wide receiver Javon Walker received an $11 million signing bonus and a $1 million base salary this year, but he has only 13 catches in his first seven games with the Raiders. The other players on Davis' list are unknown.

At his Monday press conference, interim Raiders coach Tom Cable said he was thinking of making more changes in the starting lineup. Since taking over for Lane Kiffin, Cable has benched wide receiver Ronald Curry and safety Michael Huff. If Davis gets his way, some changes might be permanent.

It is now complete meltdown mode in Oakland.  So much so that had I not disowned the Raiders as a real rival to the Broncos, and as an NFL franchise at all, I might feel bad for the fans.

If you are a Raiders fan, or know one, tell them to abandon ship NOW.  We will welcome you over here with open arms!

 For a look at the game from the Raiders view, check out SilverandBlackPride 

2007 OFFENSE

2007 DEFENSE

Welcome to a Week 1 edition of The Edge, MileHighReport's in-depth look at this week's Broncos game. Each week I'll take a look at the rosters and give my thoughts on which team had the advantage in each area. I'll then give my official prediction. As always, I look forward to your feedback.

Enough talk, it's Broncos/Raiders. Who has "The Edge"?

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Here's a Monday game day edition of Horse Tracks.  Enjoy!

 Tonight we will get to see how to rookies do when the games count.  This could be a special group.  See here

 Sam Adams explains why the Broncos will defeat the conquered fader nation.  See here

 Dave Kreiger's article seems to give a more negative outlook of the Broncos.  See here

 Run defense is first priority.  See here

 Woody Paige gives us a history of the rivalry.  See here

 The Rocky Mountain News gave their "skinny" on tonight's game.  See here

 We may get to see a great CB battle tonight as well.  See here

 Denver has a shot to take the lead in the AFC West.  See here

 There are signs that Elvis Dumervil will have a big year.  See here

 Ryan Clady will have a huge job tonight.  See here

 Kenny Peterson is very happy with playing in Denver.  See here

 Former Bronco and current conquered fader Javon Walker says his "demise is greatly exaggerated".  See here

AFC West

Phyllis and his merry men aren't too merry today after what the Panthers did to them yesterday.  Sunday's game in Denver is CRITICAL for both teams.  Let's hope Denver can get them to 0-2.  See here

The Missouri Indians lost yesterday, but they took out Tom Brady for the season.  Peter King is still weeping as we speak.  This season just got even more interesting.  See here and here

That is all I have for today.  The quest is on and the season is ripe for the picking if they want it enough.  GO BRONCOS!!!

Week 1 of the 2008 NFL Season has officially begun with a yawer last night between the Giants and Redskins.  Is the Giants defense that good or the Redskins offense that bad??

As for the Broncos, they are still preparing for the Raiders Monday Night.  Can it get here any faster???

Here are some nuggets to chew on with your Orange and Blue Coffee --

  Javon Walker's status for Monday Night is still in question, as is his career.
  Boss Bailey has pronounced himself healthy and ready to go for Monday Night
  Broncos' opponents are going to be looking for a weak link along a young O-Line.
  There will be alot of youth on display in 2008 for the Broncos.
  Looking for a weakness in the Raiders' D, start with the ground game
  Broncos' trio says extra work will pay off big in '08

For a look at the game from the Raiders view, check out SilverandBlackPride

Denver Broncos

Oakland Raiders

CHANGES IN BOLD

YOUR SOURCE FOR THE VERY BEST

IN DENVER BRONCO PRE-GAME ANALYSIS

 FROM MILEHIGHREPORT.COM

How important is this game to the Broncos?  After all, this isn't a game against the Chargers for the title of AFC West best.  However, it is an important game in many, many ways.

1. The winner is undefeated, the loser has to win two games in a row for a winning season.
2. The game is a divisional pairing; crucial for playoff tie breaks.
3. This is Monday Night Football; the big stage.  The confidence boost (or lag) could be a major factor going into the early season.

For Denver fans, it doesn't get any better than this.  Denver playing in the opening MNF game against the hated Raiders.  Let's break down the Xs and Os, and take a look at how these teams match up.

Read on...

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The NFL Season officially gets underway tonight when the Giants host the Redskins.  That means plenty of NFL Previews all over the web, including the Denver Media and their in-depth evaluations of the Broncos.  Let's take a look --

   The RMN has plenty to offer, including a new Broncos Trivia game, in it's NFL Preview.
  The Broncos know they need to stop the Raiders' ground game to get a win.
  It's now been 10 years since the Broncos have been to the Super Bowl, something us fans know all too well.
  The Raiders are loaded with Broncos influence
  The Raiders are still bitter about "blocked trade", look to Russell to be their Elway.
  In a League dominated by Quarterbacks, Jay Cutler is primed to become an elite one in 2008.
  Shanahan's disdain for Al Davis runs deep....15 years deep.
  Two former Broncos are motivated to play against their old teammates
  Boss Bailey definitely feels at home with the Broncos

For a look at the game from the Raiders view, check out SilverandBlackPride

Denver Broncos

Oakland Raiders

For a look at the game from the Raiders view, check out SilverandBlackPride

HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN

On the first week of the regular season --
"It's enjoyable. You look forward to it ever year. We have been working throughout the offseason-obviously the OTAs, summer camp. We have gotten a chance to see our team in live situations. We have a lot of young players playing on Monday night, and I'm looking forward to it."

On whether playing without WR Brandon Marshall will change the game plan against the Raiders --
"I don't think Brandon will dictate the (complexity) of our game plan. We have some young players, so it might not be as deep as it normally is, but we have enough to show up and play."

On Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell --
"He hasn't played a lot, so we haven't seen a lot of him. We have watched a lot (of him) on film. He has played in one game as a starter and played in four other games. Like all other young quarterbacks, it's a growing process. You know how talented he is, being the first pick in the draft. Everybody knows his size, his arm strength and him being a No. 1 pick. So he has a big, big upside and he has a good supporting cast around him.

"He was practicing the whole season, so that is sometimes better than playing-you get some good reps in practice and a chance to grow with an offensive system. He played enough to feel, I would think, somewhat confident in the offensive system, and he played extremely well in his one start against San Diego. Hopefully he doesn't play that well Monday night."

On Raiders RB Darren McFadden --
"He is averaging over five yards a carry, I think 5.4. He has had a good preseason. The have given him a lot of reps and he is a weapon. He has great speed and everybody knows what he did in college. He is going to try to do that at the pro level. They are very coordinated in their offensive line. They went from 29th in the NFL in 2006 to sixth in 2007 (in rushing). That's a big, big jump. There is no other team that made that type of jump. They are running the zone blocking scheme very, very well. They have a lot of confidence in it and they are very well-coordinated, so he is going to a system that gives him a chance."

On why the media is not predicting big things from the Broncos --
"We understand why they are. When you take a look at where we were at last year, both offensively, defensively and special teams-wise, why would they pick us? We have to go out there and prove ourselves each week. We are a young football team and we just have to go out and get it done. If you win games then you get the attention you deserve."

On whether there is extra motivation playing the first game on Monday night --
"The first game of the season is always big, especially in the AFC West on the road on Monday night. It's a big first game for us. We get a chance to showcase our team on national television... It's something that we look forward to."

On Broncos TEs Nate Jackson and Tony Scheffler --
They are both football players. You have guys who are very competitive. We have three tight ends (Jackson, Scheffler and TE Daniel Graham) who can play, and it's a good weapon to have. You can go into a game plan with a three-tight end set or a two-tight end set and not skip a beat. Not very many teams have the luxury to have three tight ends like we do. All three will dress and all three will play."

On how Scheffler has improved in his blocking --
"Tony has done a good job. He has improved every year. He is not at the level of Daniel Graham, but he has improved drastically from when he first started."

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For a look at the game from the Raiders view, check out SilverandBlackPride

For the first time in seven years, the Denver Broncos will open their season on Monday Night Football when they face the Oakland Raiders this week at McAfee Coliseum. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. PDT, and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN as well as locally on KDVR-TV FOX 31.

The Broncos, whose 17-year streak of appearing on Monday Night Football represents the longest such streak in the NFL, look to begin the campaign with a win in their first AFC West contest of the year for the ninth consecutive season. The first part of the season is a key stretch for Denver with the club facing divisional opponents in three of the first four weeks. The Broncos play their first two games (at Oak., vs. S.D.) of the year against divisional foes for the first time in 11 seasons (1997) and only the sixth time in club history.

Denver, which finished the 2007 season with a 7-9 record before posting a 2-2 mark this preseason, faces a Raiders squad that was 4-12 last year and 1-3 in the preseason. The two clubs split the 2007 series, but the Broncos have had recent success against Oakland, posting an 8-2 record against the franchise since 2003.

In the preseason, the Broncos' offense averaged 76.9 yards on its eight touchdown drives while ranking fifth in the league in both yards per play (5.4) and points per game (22.8). Quarterback Jay Cutler led Denver to points in six of the 10 drives (5 TDs, 1 FG) he started and finished the preseason with the third-highest passer
rating (117.6) and fourth-best completion percentage (69.8) in the league (min. 40 att.). Defensively, Denver ranked seventh in the league in yards per rush allowed (3.4).

Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan owns an 11-4 career record in season openers, marking a .733 winning percentage that is the best among active NFL coaches (min. 5 openers).

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