Offtopic » Raiders know they have ‘tremendous challenge’ waiting

in Miami against ‘red hot’ Dolphins defense After removing one of the best defensive tackles of this generation from a mediocre 2017 defense Gareon Conley Jersey , the outlook for the Dolphins defense this year seemed bleak. Yet, two weeks into the season without Pro Bowler Ndamukong Suh, their defense ranks fourth in the league in points allowed per game (16) and third in takeaways (6). They are also off to a 2-0 start with wins over the Titans and in New York against the Jets.The Silver & Black have already faced two talented defenses in the Rams and Broncos, but this could be the toughest match-up yet. “We got a tremendous challenge this weekend in Miami against a red hot defense,” said Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson. Even without Suh, the Dolphins run defense has gone from allowing 4.1 yards per carry in 2017 (16th in NFL) to just 3.3 yards per rush this season which is third best through two games. They added defensive end Robert Quinn across from Cameron Wake and the two have provided consistent pressure while also being assets against the run. “Wake has a history of being troublesome guy,” Raiders head coach Jon Gruden explained. “I think a great trade they made was Quinn. He raises hell off the edge. He can bend the edge. He’s very athletic. Plays hard. I love his motor.”A secondary, led by Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones, Xavien Howard, Bobby McCain, and 2018 first round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick, has been dominant allowing a league low 56.6 passer rating. And they already have five interceptions; just four fewer than all of last season. “[Xavien Howard] is one of the better corners in the whole league and he does not get enough credit for that,” Derek Carr said Wednesday. “And obviously Youth Derek Carrier Jersey , [Reshad] Jones, number 20, he’s a Pro Bowl player, can do everything. I played against him before and I think he’s a real special talent.” Carr should remember Reshad Jones. He picked him off in their match-up last season. Jones also led the team with 9 tackles that day. Though the Dolphins lost 27-24.This Dolphins defense has been strong so far this season and it’s one of the bigger surprises in the NFL, with the Dolphins off to a 2-0 start. Said Robert Quinn of the revitalized defense; “There’s something special going on here.”Derek Carr and the Raiders offense will have their hands full on Sunday in Miami.Tom Flores among seven Raiders nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2019 Each year there are several Raiders among the candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This year the list of nominees starts at 91 modern era nominees. Among that long list were seven players who once donned a Raiders uniform. They are as follows:Steve Wisniewski (G), La’Roi Glover (DT/NT), Russell Maryland (DT), Richard Seymour (DT), Eric Allen (CB), Albert Lewis (CB), and Tom Flores (HC).Among these seven nominees, none are more deserving than Tom Flores. He was the first minority head coach in NFL history and went on to lead the Raiders to two Super Bowl win as head coach. And yet, he has not been able to get recognized for his accomplishments.His last year of coaching was 1994 and here we are 25 years later and he’s still waiting to get the call. He has made the list of nominees several times http://www.raidersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-mike-nugent-jersey , including each of the past three seasons. But in each case, he was eliminated in November with the first round of cuts.After the cutdown to a select like of semi-finalists in November, the list will be whittled down to 15 modern-era finalists in January. In addition to the 15 finalists there will be Senior Finalist, Johnny Robinson, and Contributor Finalists, Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt.The Selection Committee will meet on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 in Atlanta, Ga. to elect the Class of 2019. While there is no set number for any class of enshrinees, the selection process by-laws provide that between four and eight new members will be selected.The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019 will be formally enshrined on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 in Canton.Follow @LeviDamien