Oakland Raiders Will Play Smart, Aggressive Football Against 2012 Preseason Opponents

Damali Binta – Apr 19, 2012

Carson Palmer needs to play in all of the preseason games to get ready for the regular season. Last year, he had very little preparation time. To make up for those shortcomings in preparation, it is suggested that his preparation time be lengthened for 2012.

Palmer's quarterback rating is 80.5 and Tony Romo's is 102.5 at the end of the 2011 season.The game between the Oakland Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys is going to be a thriller. You can expect the Oakland Raiders to surprise the naysayers and prove that they are ready to "Just win, baby!"

Again, the difference is going to be in the intangibles because the pattern of performance of the Oakland Raiders in the preseason must be dramatically different from that of 2011. Otherwise, some fans are going to get nervous and even doubtful that the severe changes are going to make a difference in the outcome of the future games.

The numerous changes ought to be a sure indicator of marked differences in preseason and regular season performance patterns.

Next, the yards/ reception average for Calvin Johnson is 17.5 compared with Darrius Heyward-Bey's average of 15.2. Michael Irvin has a 16.7 average in this category, and Larry Fitzgerald has an average of 17.6.

Those numbers don't matter too much to this writer, because the intangibles are going to kick in and spice up the game since the newcomers have so much to prove to the Raider Nation and to the coaches. For that reason, remarkable performance levels are expected in 2012.

The Raider Nation is counting on the intangibles like determination and passion in order to defeat even the preseason opponents. What a way to start the new era: victory after victory during the preseason as an indicator of what to look forward to in the regular season,

Yes, the Raiders have more penalties, but let this be an indicator of the level of aggression.

In 2012 the tendency to get penalties must be constrained and controlled by discipline and smart moves on the playing field. Aggression coupled with smart and strategic thinking is the mantra for 2012, under Reggie McKenzie and Dennis Allen.

Of the four preseason games, a good prediction would be a 3-1 in my opinion.

This is part one of a series of data-driven predictions for segments of the 2012 season.

Words from Mama Raider