Syracuse is headed to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 for the fourth time in the past five years, but the Orange have some work to do after holding on to beat California 66-60 Saturday night at HP Pavilion.
The Raiders under rookie coach Dennis Allen and first-year general manager Reggie McKenize touted a "new era of excellence." But after going 4-12, Allen and McKenzie have a clearer picture of exactly how much work needs to be done to turn the Raiders into a playoff team.
After back-to-back 8-8 seasons, the Raiders went 4-12 under rookie coach Dennis Allen and first-year general manager Reggie McKenzie. The high hopes vanished during an ugly six-game losing streak from Weeks 9-14 when the Raiders were outscored 215-109. The Raiders missed the playoffs for the 10th straight season.
Highlights were few and far between for the Raiders and rookie coach Dennis Allen during a nightmarish 4-12 season. As for lowlights, the competition was fierce to make the top 3.
Tight end Mickey Shuler, defensive back Akwasi Owusu-Ansah and four other players who finished the season on the Raiders' practice squad signed reserve/future contracts, the team announced Wednesday.
The Raiders are scheduled to play only four teams in 2013 that made the playoffs this season. Of course they have to play one of those teams, the Denver Broncos, twice.
The Raiders won four games and missed the playoffs for the 10th straight season, but they still had some star power. Here are the 2012 RapidReports MVPs for the Raiders.
Raiders coach Dennis Allen said he believes "continuity" is a key to long-term success in the NFL, but that didn't stop him Monday from firing offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, special teams coordinator Steve Hoffman, offensive line coach Frank Pollack and linebackers coach Johnny Holland.
Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp's second stint with the Oakland Raiders ended Monday after just one disappointing season when he was fired, along with three other assistants.
