On Sunday, The Oakland Raiders play host to their AFC division rival Denver Broncos in their third game of the young NFL 2009 season. With a win, the 1-1 Raiders will share a tie of the division lead with the 2-0 Broncos.
Head Coach Tom Cable said, "When you play Denver, make no mistake, it is more important because of what they are, in your own division, the rivalry, the history. All of the games are important, but [division games] are extra special."
Coach Cable noted a few keys to this week's game that the team focused on in practice this week - "better execution, sharper focus, more attention to detail."
No one knows more about that than veteran Pro Bowl defensive end Richard Seymour who is showing his new teammates what he knows.
"I'm here to work. Work with my teammates. That's how I got to the point to where I am. Coming in with a workman-like mentality," Seymour stated.
Fourth-year linebacker Ricky Brown is taking in what Seymour is teaching like a sponge. Already with 14 tackles this season, Brown has fit into the starting strong-side linebacker position learning every day from Seymour.
"He is a three-time Super Bowl champ and perennial Pro Bowler. Probably the best two-gap player in football," Brown said. "He brings an unbelievable work ethic. He is a guy who has been there, done that. With him giving us some nuggets of wisdom from his nine-year career, it has been awesome."
In two games as a Raider, Seymour has totaled nine tackles and two sacks, both sacks coming in the home opener against the San Diego Chargers.
The Raiders defense will go up against the Broncos duo of running backs, rookie Knowshon Moreno and veteran Correll Buckhalter, wide receiver Brandon Marshall, and first-year Broncos' quarterback Kyle Orton.
This week, Coach Cable said that Jonathan Holland will make his first appearance of the 2009 season on the active roster returning kickoffs. "It is really exciting just getting the opportunity. I've been doing kick returns for a long time, in high school and also in college so I'll be ready on Sunday," Holland said.
Last season, Holland played in three regular season games, recording five special teams' tackles and recovering a fumble.
Also on Sunday, the Raiders will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting the eighth annual Fiesta Latina, presented by Coors Light. The day will start at Raiderville and will include music and dance performances by representatives of all of Latin America.
