Category: Raiders buzz

Today is the day we set aside to honor those who served in our armed forces. As a veteran myself (Navy) it is not a day that passes without note. For some, the duty to honor our servicemen and women is more than a one day thing. The NFL and USAA recognize those league members who demonstrate and exemplary commitment to honoring and supporting the military community.

The award is given out annually, with each team selecting their nominee. For the Raiders, the 2019 nominee is former running back Mark Van Eeghen.

Mark’s daughter Brooke was a Major in the Air Force. During the Raiders’ trip to London, Van Eeghen, along with some current Raiders players, visited the Royal Air Force Mildenhall Base in Suffolk England to meet with and support troops stationed at the base. He toured the base’s CV22 Ospreys and C130s and met the units assigned to the planes.

Van Eeghen met with active duty Airmen and their families, passed out Raiders gear, posed for pictures, signed autographs and was presented with a commander’s coin by the base’s commanding officer.

Ahead of the international matchup between the Raiders and Bears, Van Eeghen and other NFL alumni welcomed families of fallen heroes from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to the team’s morning walkthrough, handed out gift bags with Raiders memorabilia and led a tour of the team’s practice facility. Mark spent time with the 45 family members in attendance and toured the group around the team’s practice facility in Watford.

Finalists for the Salute To Service award are announced in January. The recipient will be recognized at the NFL Honors awards show in Miami on Saturday, Feb. 1, the night before the Super Bowl.

Past recipients of the award include Ben Garland (2018), Andre Roberts (2017), Dan Quinn (2016), Vincent Jackson (2015), Jared Allen (2014), John Harbaugh (2013), Charles Tillman (2012), and the late Tennessee Titans owner, K.S. “Bud” Adams, a WWII veteran (2011).

[lawrence-newsletter]

It was the final primetime NFL game ever at Oakland Coliseum. Befitting that it was between these two longtime AFC West rivals. Though it was a hard-fought game, it was far more sloppy than anyone would have liked.

Both teams hovered around 30 percent efficiency on third down. The Chargers were 3 for 10, and the Raiders were 4 for 12. It was also a flag fest out there with the Raiders being called for 12 penalties for 97 yards and the Chargers getting 8 flags for 70 yards.

The Chargers lost Russell Okung early in the game, so they were fielding two backup tackles. The Raiders took advantage to sack Philip Rivers five times and harass him enough to have him throwing up gift passes all day. He threw three interceptions, including the one that ended the game. But he could have easily thrown a couple more. And he fumbled the ball as well.

Then despite Melvin Gordon putting up 108 yards on the day, the Chargers decided Rivers should pass on every play on their final drive. Seven passes despite having over a minute and three timeouts to work with. It was just weird, and the Raiders just continued to get after him as he went 0 for 7 on the possession with the game-sealing interception.

It wasn’t the shootout like last week against the Lions. This time the defense had its day. Which, in its own way, was a breath of fresh air.

[lawrence-newsletter]