Exhibit 1: Raiders 19 Cowboys 17

With the Oakland Raiders first exhibition game of the 2013 season in the books, we fans can let out a sigh of relief.  The young team has some fight and bite in it.

The upper tier of the Coliseum was sporting a new black tarp imprinted with a Raiders shield.

As it glistened in the night lights the tarp gave the place a kind of "new stadium" feel to it. And believe it or not, the Coliseum seemed louder with less seats as the place was on fire with fans of both teams pumped to see some football.  The Raiders and Cowboys both delivered some good exhibition football; and the crowd went wild!

While the Cowboys seemed to get their passing game going early, it would be the Raiders with the eye catching touchdown that brought the place to a roar. Penn State QB Matt McGloin teamed up with San Diego State WR Brice Butler for a spectacular 30-yard throw and catch.   There were other throws and catches by other quarterbacks and receivers, but this one was the highlight that left everyone wondering who McGloin and Butler are.  Well folks I can tell you in a nutshell, they're Raiders, pillaging just for fun.

“I’m the kind of person who knows I have to buckle down and get to work,” the 23-year-old McGloin said.

"I am 23-years old and I have been waiting on that moment my whole life," Butler said.
The Raiders came away with a win full of impressive examples of things to come for the new season; a blocked fg attempt, a sack of Tony Romo, an interception, 4 of 5 field goals made, open offensive play calling (read option), and most of all for anyone with a silver & black history, few penalties (4).

I left the game feeling as if just maybe this could be a turnaround year for the Raiders. I'm not expecting anything historic, just entertaining, competitive, week to week improvement as opposed to the familiar dropoff of production midway through the season.  Last night's game definitely supports my hopeful expectations.

Here's to the Raiders fans from L.A. that I had a blast at the game with. May you guys be safe on the roads and blessed to attend many more Raiders games.  And how about that John Vella guy? Cool huh? 

"And on the seventh day, God made football"

Shoutout to Raiders WR Andre Holmes who had a good game.  Keep working it Holmsey, the drops at training camp must've been a fluke.