The Oakland Raiders made NFL preseason betting news when they signed defensive lineman Richard Seymour to a 12.4 million dollar exclusive franchise tag tender on Saturday. The Raiders have been trying to work out a long-term deal with Seymour but they had to settle for a one-year deal. The Raiders are expected to be improved this season and they could be a team to wager on in NFL preseason odds.
NFL preseason betting on the Oakland Raiders begins on August 12th as the Raiders visit the Dallas Cowboys. It will be tough matchup for the Raiders although they may get a little break since the Cowboys will have played four days earlier in the Hall of Fame Game against Cincinnati.
The Raiders are hoping to be improved vs. the NFL preseason odds this season. Getting Seymour signed definitely helps as he is a big fixture on the defensive line. Seymour played on three Super Bowl winning teams in New England and was in the Pro Bowl for five straight years from 2002-2006. The Raiders have made some changes on defense that should help Seymour. They drafted middle linebacker Rolando McClain and defensive end Lamarr Houston and they added linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and tackle John Henderson.
The Raiders should be improved this season especially since they finally got rid of quarterback JaMarcus Russell who had been an albatross around the neck of the organization. The Raiders are counting on Jason Campbell to vastly upgrade the quarterback position. They also believe that second year wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey will be improved this season. They are also counting on running back Darren McFadden finally living up to his hype. The Raiders also have Louis Murphy and Chaz Schilens who should give Campbell good downfield targets.
The Raiders are capable of competing this season in the AFC West. The Chargers don’t look to be as good this season while Denver and Kansas City have their own question marks. Oakland might be a team to keep an eye on in 2010. The Raiders open up the regular season against Tennessee on the road on Sunday, September 12th. The Raiders are 7-point underdogs in that game with a total of 41 and they could be a good value in that matchup considering the troubles that Tennessee is having.