Oaklands Raiders: Al’s Squad Will Surpass Expectations, Make 2012 NFL Playoffs

Raider Nation is in a mode of panic!

We have a plethora of free agents, and no head coach! Al Davis has gone crazy!

Slow down, Nation.

You have Al Davis' personal guarantee that this Oakland Raiders team in the 2011-12 NFL season will crush all opponents and win the Super Bowl with a flawless 59-14 victory.

Okay, not so much.

Still, I know deep down that this is Oakland's year.

Most free agents will re-sign with us. Some act like Nnamdi Asomugha will jump ship, and Richard Seymour will request a trade. That's not so.

I was re-living the 2010 season today, and I came across an interview with Richard Seymour. He talked about his making the Pro Bowl and what not, but then he said something that caught my eye.

He said that beating the Chiefs and getting to 8-8 would be great for the squad heading into the offseason. He spoke about how they would continue to build and would make the NFL Playoffs in 2012.

Richard is a smart man. He knew at the time that he was in a contract year. But deep down, he knows he'll be with the Raiders.

Other free agents have no reason to leave Oakland. Why, after years of losing, leave? You see light at the end of the tunnel.

The only free agents who will leave the Raiders are the ones that owner Al Davis let's walk.

However, that's not the point of the article.

The Raiders will be much improved this year, Nation. Oh, very improved.

I know Mr. Al Davis will trade up into the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He'll draft an offensive lineman.

I know Hue Jackson will turn out to be a great coach. He'll create his "bully."

And I know that we'll win the games on our schedule that we're supposed to win.

Looking at the Raiders' schedule, I truly see a 13-3 season. Some of our tough games like New England, New York and Chicago will be at home.
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