TrueRaiderLaker Productions #10! - 2017 Raiders Hype Video

In 2015, I made my first hype video titled "New Generation". Last year, I made another one titled "Welcome to the Show". This year, I live up to my own personal promise to complete my Raiders hype video trilogy..."by any means!" And with TrueRaiderLaker Productions installment #10, I give you my latest hype video "From the Ashes"!

Description

When I developed early concepts about my third hype video, I immediately thought back into the last few weeks of the regular season. And they were an emotional roller coaster. On Week 15, against the Chargers, the Raiders clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2002. We were all happy. Then Week 16, Derek Carr gets hurt. Week 17, the Raiders fumble away the AFC West crown to the Kansas City Chiefs. And finally on Wild Card weekend, the Texans put the final nail in the coffin to the Raiders' dream season of 2016. I thought to myself, I couldn't make a "hype hype" video with the way last season ended. If I'm making a third video, based on how the season ended, this hype video needed to be darker and more serious compared to my last two videos, but at the same time, it needed to be uplifting. Derek Carr is back. The Raiders made some serious upgrades, especially on offense. They're primed to get back up and go after that elusive 4th Super Bowl title. I think this video also highlights the maturation process of my editing since I made the "New Generation" hype video two years ago and the "Welcome to the Show" video last year. There already was a precedent set for me to make a theatrical-style video. That would be my Khalil Mack "Untamable Beast" highlight video. Unfortunately, my theatrical-style videos are at the wrong side of history as they get less views compared to my other work. I'm willing to go all-in that this hype video will get me over that hump.

Another thing I want to address is the question I'm sure everybody's asking me "Why the delay?" Yes, I'd usually release Raiders hype videos just before the first game of the preseason. This video in particular is released a few days before the start of Week 1 and a few hours before the Chiefs and Patriots kickoff opening night! I'm going to be completely honest, if you're an ambitious video editor like I am, you'd try new video editing techniques or start an entirely different series of videos. Basically, shaking up the creative direction a bit. That's what I've been doing the last few weeks/months. I worked on a couple of videos that are completely not associated with TrueRaiderLaker Productions. I sent those videos into music video competitions at a couple of pop culture conventions hosted here in Cali. Just recently, I found out that one of those videos finished 2nd place and I felt ecstatic about that. So, just to let everyone know, I'm calling the shots on a entirely different series of video projects. But, as I mentioned when I managed to squeeze a Lonzo Ball hype video in between, TrueRaiderLaker Productions is here to stay. Don't be alarmed. I'm adding new weapons to the "MechG2994 arsenal" in terms of video projects.

Thumbnail

This is the official thumbnail of the hype video featuring: Marshawn Lynch, Head Coach Jack Del Rio, Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Bruce Irvin, Khalil Mack, and Derek Carr.

*2017 Regular Season Preview Post to follow! Stay tuned!*

Sio Moore Traded to the Indianapolis Colts

It appears Sio Moore won't be on board for the "New Generation" after all. After seeing the field minimally this preseason since coming back from major hip surgery, the Raiders have decided to move on by trading Moore to the Indianapolis Colts. In exchange, the Raiders will receive a 6th round pick from the Colts for next year's draft.

My thoughts: As a fan, it's always shocking to see a fan-favorite go and Sio Moore since he was drafted back in 2013, was a fan favorite of Raider Nation. He was the juice and the energy for the defense and when Mack was drafted last year, we had a lot of optimism that Mack and Moore would be the duo that'll kill opposing quarterbacks for years to come. It was a series of questions throughout the preseason and it evolved into a topic of interest. Where was Sio throughout the preseason? How come Jack Del Rio and the rest of coaching staff were holding him in? How come they didn't give him a chance to see if he was 100%? Because if there were any setbacks on Moore's rehab, he would've just been placed on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list and likely placed on Injured Reserve, saving him to live to fight another season. But with this trade, it was obvious that there was something suspicious going on between Moore and the coaching staff behind the scenes. And yes, Moore's attitude problems stemmed back to last season, both on and off the field. And with his recent antics since coming back to social media, particularly calling out CSN Bay Area reporter, Scott Bair on Twitter, that was the last straw because he just couldn't contain himself to rant on the media and put his focus squarely on getting back to football. This trade is a significant sign that Del Rio has zero tolerance on players who would rather spend more time doing silly antics and stir up controversy than focusing and performing to the best of their ability. Sio Moore, with the talent he has, will be missed and this trade brings even more questions on Reggie McKenzie's 2013 draft picks. Yet, at the same time, this trade defends Reggie's vision of this Raiders team consisting of high character guys who love the game of football and want to put in the work for the love of the game.

Jack Del Rio to Become Raiders Head Coach

After a couple of interviews to potential head coaching candidates, the Raiders have decided to go with experience rather than go for new blood as they have hired Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator and former Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach, Jack Del Rio. Del Rio brings the Raiders almost 8 years of Head Coaching experience coaching the Jaguars from 2003 till he was fired early on in the 2011 season. He has taken them to the Playoffs two times. As the Broncos Defensive Coordinator, he transformed them from a 24th rank defense previously under Dennis Allen to a top 5 defense in the last two years.

Full article: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12165283/oakland-raiders-close-hiring-jack-del-rio-head-coach

My Thoughts: I wanted this guy as Hue Jackson’s DC when Chuck Fat@$$ got fired! Oh well, that was the past. I know the reactions of this hiring: “Ugh, another defensive coordinator from Denver” or “ugh, he’s going to set up the team to fail just like Dennis Allen did” or “ugh, he sucked in Jacksonville.” First, let’s lighten it up with the relationship between Del Rio and the Raiders: 1) he’s a Bay Area native, 2) he grew up a Raiders fan, and 3) his family are season ticket holders. The thing that has us concerned about Del Rio is his track record in Jacksonville. 68-71, yeah it’s a losing statistic, but we have to remember his last two seasons in Jacksonville, the team was imploding from within, but other than that, it’s a not too shabby record. Unlike Dennis Allen’s defensive philosophy of “bend but don’t break,” Del Rio brings us a defensive philosophy of not giving offenses an inch in the ground game or in the passing game. His defenses in Denver had our number and we couldn’t run or pass for big chunks of yardage. People will bring up Super Bowl XLVIII or last Sunday’s game vs. the Colts. To be fair and honest, I thought it had to do with Denver’s “godly” offense (just because they have Peyton Manning) getting dominated by the tougher defenses of the Seahawks and the Colts. Anyway, with Del Rio’s hiring, there’s a possibility of having Mike Smith (former Falcons HC) as the DC for the Raiders. That’s a match made in heaven on the defensive side and they will turn Khalil Mack into a huge superstar. However, the offensive side is a question mark. Hopefully, he lets Sparano coach out his contract and continue being the O-line/Asst. HC for a little continuity and next, he needs to hire a really talented OC that runs an offense that fits the personnel around him, has a “run first” mentality, has a game plan ahead of time, and could further Derek Carr’s development. For me, it’s a good hire, not because of the aspect that he’s passionate for the Raiders (well some of that), but for the experience and bringing a more aggressive approach on the defensive end. With that said, Coach Del Rio, welcome home and welcome to the Raider Nation! “Just Win Baby” and “Keep Chopping Wood.”

UPDATE: The contract details for Jack Del Rio to be HC for the Raiders is reportedly a 4-year deal.

Btw... to all those delusional Bronco fans (though there are some I respect) thinking ya'll will win multiple Super Bowls with Peyton Manning, John Fox, and Del Rio. Manning's contemplating retirement, John Fox's fired, we got Del Rio, Broncos' future is totally in doubt, here's to all you guys: