About the only bright spot is that the three-win Cleveland Browns are coming to Oakland on Sunday. The Raiders have a chance to get their fourth win if they can take care of business against a below-average Browns team.
The Raiders haven’t demonstrated the ability to put together a complete game in weeks, and it’s gut-check time for the players and coaches in Oakland. Either the team pulls together and starts playing better football, or they completely fall apart, and the team is further dismantled by general manager Reggie McKenzie in the offseason.
Primary Talking Point for Week 13
It was always assumed that 2012 was Rolando McClain’s final season in Oakland if he didn’t significantly improve from his first two seasons. After only a few games, McClain lost his spot in the nickel defense to rookie Miles Burris and, in the process, his play-calling duties to Philip Wheeler. Once that happened, McClain was as good as gone, but the Raiders needed the body.
McClain missed practice on Wednesday with what the team called “team-related issues,” and the speculation was that he could be released by the team. McClain turned to his Facebook page to announce his release and deride the team according to NFL.com, even though no official move could be made until Thursday.
According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, McClain got into a heated discussion with head coach Dennis Allen and was booted from practice and sent home. John Clayton of ESPN reports that the Raiders have informed McClain that he will be released on Thursday.
McClain was already as good as gone, and it’s ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
