Well since there is no game to review this week, here is quick review of last season.
    The 1997 season started with much fanfare and hoopla (as did many of the previous seasons).  From the chatter of winning many Superbowls, to signing of high profile free agents. Then something terrible happened to this picture perfect season, they put on the pads and tried to live up to the hype and expectations.  This once again the time ole adage 'Talk is cheap'. Now I'm not trying to point the finger at one person, I can't recall in NFL (or AFL) history when a new head coach and new quarterback arrived into town and took a team top of their division let alone the Superbowl. Which is why last years record should not be either a disappointment or a surprise to anyone.
    Think about for a moment the Raiders have had 5 offensive systems in the past 10 years with only one head coach, Art Shell, having coach for more than two consecutive years. The last two years alone saw four different starting QB's (Jeff Hosteler, Vince Evans, Billy Joe Hobert, and Jeff George).
    Now you are asking yourself  "Well with that logic why should this year be any different than last year.  There is a new rookie head coach and a cast a new  coaches around him." There are two main reason why the '98 season will be better than the '97 one.
    First and foremost is the coaching staff. Although Jon Gruden is a rookie head coach he does have good experience behind him and blue collar work your butt off attitude. Gruden also possesses something many previous Raider coaches did not and that is 'Nads. Now this isn't a discredit to Al Davis for waiting so long to hire the right type of coach but rather a credit to Gruden for his aggressive style.  He was turned down for the job last year when Jole Bugel beat him out.  Some of his staff are rookies as well, but some like Willie Shaw are seasoned veterans at this game and know how to get it done on the field.
    The second reason is that this will be second season Tim Brown, Napoleon Kaufman and George will be together.  "Why is that so important?" you ask. It is important because the following statistics don't lie. The Raiders scored 41 touchdowns last year to their opponents 44, but they were outscored 419 to 324. The ability to convert on third downs, and kick field goals killed the silver and black last season. he Raiders were 31.9 percent (65/204)  in converting third down situations while allow the opposition to convert 39 percent (92/236).   Also when the Raiders did convert and had a chance for a three they were 13/22 (59%) for field goals attempted and made while the combined opponents were 34/43(88%).  With the big three offensive threats having had a season to gel together that third down conversion should go up considerably.  As for the kicking duties a new kicker will be in place prior to the season opener.
    Now the other side of ball is where the team will have it's most difficult challanges. Last year the defense was 30th in pass defense, run defense and (amazaingly enough) total defense. No team since the NFL/AFL in 1970 has any team ever done that.  In an effort to fix the problem the Raiders allowed McGlockton (Kansas City) to walk away and cut Terry McDainel (Minnesota).  They brought in Eric Allen (New Orleans) Anthony Newman (New Orleans) and Coach Shaw (New Orleans) Do you see a pattern forming?  The Saints finshed last year 6th in pass defense, 14th in run defense and 4th in total defense. In shed even more light on it the Saints allowed 180 passing yards, 110 rushing yards, while the Raiders surrened 241 and 140 respectively per game.  There was additional help from the draft as Charles Woodson (DB), Tarvin Smith (LB), Vince Amey (DL) and David Sanders (DL) were selected.
      So Raider fans don't expect a Superbowl or division championship or even a double digit winning season, but do expect alot of heart and effort and with any luck a .500 season as well as smoother water ahead with this crew.