Ray Leonard Aspuria, Author at The Raider Ramble

Powder Blues: Chargers Susceptible but Raiders Must Be Careful Not to Get Zapped

It’s imperative the Oakland Raiders snap its three-game funk. Sitting at 2-3 overall and in third place in the AFC West, a return to the win column is of utmost importance. Taking another “L” this Sunday — against division rival Los Angeles Chargers, no less — would sink the Raiders’ already-dwindling postseason aspirations even further. …

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Aspuria’s Assertions: Week 5 Edition

AFC West / By Ray Leonard Aspuria

â€œTalk Is Cheap” You don’t have to know the intricate nuances of football to understand the plight the Oakland Raiders are in when it comes to Amari Cooper. Just open your eyes and see exactly how much the wide receiver was basically ignored this past Sunday. â€œI saw five wide open (plays), shook his guy, …

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Funky Five: Most Disappointing Raiders So Far

Analysis / By Ray Leonard Aspuria

The Oakland Raiders are stuck in a funk. There’s no denying it. At 2-3 and third place in the AFC West, the Silver & Black have 11 more games to turn things around. And in order to do so, they’ll need the Funky Five to do an about-face in regards to their play. â€œThe bottom …

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“Jack Be Nimble”: More questions than answers

Analysis / By Ray Leonard Aspuria

While there was no Jim Mora, Dennis Green or (in Raider terms) “Bill Callahan-esque” post-game blowup from Jack Del Rio, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult for the Oakland Raiders head coach to beat around the bush at the podium. â€œHindsight is always 20/20 on things like that,” the Raiders head coach was quick to answer …

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Ray-Dar: Quick Slants From Week 5

Analysis / By Ray Leonard Aspuria

BOHICA. The dubious acronym describes the Oakland Raiders defense in Sunday’s 30-17 defeat at the hands of the visiting Baltimore Ravens. Instead of saying â€œNo More!” and quelling a determined Ravens offense, the Raiders got the “Bend Over Here It Comes Again” treatment. Jack Del Rio entrusted his defense to get the stop when he …

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Tim Will Tell: Raiders HOF WR wants Cooper to Get the Ball

Uncategorized / By Ray Leonard Aspuria

Count Tim Brown as one of the many Raiders legends miffed by Amari Cooper’s lack of production this season. But unlike the masses, the Hall of Famer isn’t pinning it solely on the wide receiver’s penchant for drops. No, for the man who has caught more passes as a Raider, it’s the play-caller who has …

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Aspuria’s Assertions: Week 4 Edition

Uncategorized / By Ray Leonard Aspuria

â€œBig Boy Ball” While Jack Del Rio didn’t outright call him out by name, that was the Oakland Raiders’ head coach’s sticking point when it came to then-offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. How long before we hear Del Rio spout the same about Todd Downing? Yes, Downing is a neophyte when it comes to the play-caller …

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Ray-Dar: Quick Slants From Week 4

AFC West / By Ray Leonard Aspuria

They still had a chance to win. That’s how topsy-turvy the Oakland Raiders’ 16-10 loss to the Denver Broncos truly was this past Sunday. The explosive offense, that razzled and dazzled in Week 1 and 2 is non-existent. Comatose for the majority of the game besides a play here or there, Todd Downing’s offense has …

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Raider Rebound: Four Players Who Need to Turn It Around This Sunday

Analysis / By Ray Leonard Aspuria

A true measure of a team is not how they react when they win, but how they respond from a resounding defeat; this rings deafeningly true for the Oakland Raiders. The team’s mettle was never intended to be revealed until it languished through a despondent defeat. That came at the hands of the Washington Redskins …

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Column: Who’s laughing now?

AFC West, Analysis / By Ray Leonard Aspuria

Sunday night was FUBAR (Fu â€¦ Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition) for the Oakland Raiders. In a primetime showdown against the average Washington Redskins, the Oakland Raiders faceplanted — hard. That wasn’t the Autumn Wind Raider Nation was feeling, that was the gust from the Silver & Black blowing a sweet opportunity: A chance to …

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Ray Leonard Aspuria

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