NEWS » Walford all landed in Oakland and instantly beca

After three years of rebuilding, the Raiders may be ready to challenge for the NFLs biggest prize. Sky Sports considers if Oakland is ready to return to winning ways.The last time the Raiders had a winning season, they got to the Super Bowl. MVP quarterback Rich Gannon led the team to an 11-5 season before throwing five interceptions in a crushing loss to the Tampa Bay Bucaneers.Since that season in 2002, the Raiders have gone 63-145, finishing with double digit losses in 10 of the last 13 seasons. In 2012 Reggie McKenzie became general manager of the organisation, taking on the unenviable task of rebuilding a team that ranked 29th in points conceded, without a draft pick until the third round and some $30m over the cap budget. Oakland will be hoping to mount a push for a play-off spot at the Coliseum It was a tough couple of years for Raiders fans, who watched their team decimated in a desperate attempt to stabilise the franchise.As a result, between 2012-2014 they won a total of 11 games, used six starting quarterbacks and faced ridicule from all corners of the NFL. Throughout it all, and in the face of overwhelming pressure, McKenzie began the painful process of a methodical rebuild, through a balance of effective draft strategy and smart free agent signings.At last years draft, Amari Cooper, Mario Edwards Jn and Clive Walford all landed in Oakland and instantly became key pieces of head coach Jack del Rios redevelopment puzzle. Amari Cooper has been a success after being drafted last year In the draft class the year before, six of the franchises seven picks have played more than 25 games over the last two seasons. That includes first and second round picks Khalil Mack and Derek Carr, who have played in every game. In Carr, the Raiders have a promising young quarterback to build their team around. Mack was equally important on the defensive side of the ball, registering 15 sacks last year and becoming the player in NFL history to be named a first team All Pro at two different positions in the same season.Factor in the experience of free agent signings Kelechi Osemele, Bruce Irvin, Shaun Smith and Reggie Nelson, and Jack del Rios Oakland Raiders are a vastly different prospect to that of four years ago. The addition of Nelson addresses a weakness in dealing with pass catching tight ends.While in Osemele and Irvin, the Raiders have Super Bowl champion experience, which will help to guide a youthful team, taking the leadership reigns from the retired duo of Justin Tuck and Charles Woodson. Reggie Nelson has joined Oakland from the Cincinnati Bengals Going into their second year working togther, Del Rio and McKenzie seem to be on the same page when it comes to the regeneration of Oakland. Both former NFL linebackers, the mantra is focused on attitude over talent, and developing a team-first philosophy.The Raiders will look to reinforce their defence for this years draft with the primary focus at cornerback and defensive tackle. If they can land talent as they have done over the last two drafts, the team will be a fierce opponent, not only in the AFC West but throughout the play-offs.The Denver Broncos offer a great example to the Raiders. In 2010 the Broncos won only four games and finished bottom of the division. Five years down the line, after astute drafting and savvy free agency, the reigning Super Bowl champions have won the division every year since and been to two Super Bowls.For the first time since Hue Jackson led the team to an 8-8 season in 2011, the Raiders will look to become a credible contender for a play-off berth. If they can maintain their upward trajectory, there may be more competition in the West.Also See:2017 NFL schedule releasedCan Jacksonville challenge?What next for Cleveland?Play-offs could expand?Andre Reed Youth Jersey . Ronaldo produced a spectacular individual performance on Tuesday, scoring all three goals and guiding Portugal into the next years World Cup in Brazil with a 3-2 victory in Sweden. The Real Madrid forward has scored 66 goals in 2013, but the last three may be the boost he needs to upstage Messi after FIFA unexpectedly extended the voting period for the Ballon dOr to Nov. Dawson Knox Youth Jersey . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. http://www.shoptheofficialbills.com/Elite-Josh-Allen-Bills-Jersey/ . Halifax beat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-5 on the strength of two goals apiece from Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Brent Andrews. Jonathan Drouin also scored and had three assists while Zachary Fucale made 17 saves for the Mooseheads (16-8-0), who led 6-1 after two periods. Andre Roberts Jersey .Y. -- Syracuse has turned up the defence at the right time all season, and when High Point threatened to pull off a monumental upset the second-ranked Orange did what they do best with their quick hands and savvy play. Jordan Poyer Jersey . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville.DETROIT -- It took less than one game.Less than one half, really, in a game that wont count in the standings, for the Detroit Lions to be booed on their own field this season.Multiple times during the Lions 30-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in their preseason home opener on Thursday night, some of the 47,340 fans who were at Ford Field decided to jeer their own team.They booed backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky, who threw an interception returned for a touchdown for the second straight game.The Lions were also booed when they gave up touchdowns to the Bengals, particularly later in the game when Cincinnati took a big lead with second- and third-teamers in the game.And afterward, starting quarterback Matthew Stafford was asked about the fans booing the team and Orlovsky.For everybody? I dont know, Sttafford said.ddddddddddddIm used to it, I guess. I dont know. Classic.It wasnt clear whether Stafford was joking or not. Stafford, who was not booed, completed 8 of 11 passes for 113 yards.Orlovsky completed 8 of 14 passes for 83 yards and an interception.Lions coach Jim Caldwell wasnt sure what a reporter was talking about when he was asked about a home crowd booing a specific player.You know what, Im involved in the game. Im not certain what youre referring to or anything of that nature, Caldwell said. But when you dont play well, you know, obviously youre going to get some criticism. So its our job to play well. Its not our job to worry about anything other than that. ' ' '