“I’m super excited,” said Anna in December when she was given the honors. “I’m really proud and honored that I get to do it. I’m going to work my hardest to dance as well as I can and do the best for The Oakland Raiders and my teammates and everybody and make sure I represent well.”

Here are images of the Raiderette, along with others from across the NFL during Pro Bowl festivities:

Fore more images of Raiderettes and cheerleaders across the league, click here.

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In a release disseminated today, the NFL announced that thirty-six Hawaiian non-profit organizations will benefit from a total of $100,000 in grants as part of the Pro Bowl Grant Program.

Here’s a list of organizations who were given grants, along with more from the press release:

•          African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii

•          After-School All-Stars Hawaii

•          Armed Services YMCA – Honolulu

•          Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui

•          Diversity Activities National Association

•          Family Programs Hawaii

•          Friends of the Library of Hawaii

•          Friends of the Missing Child Center – Hawaii

•          Fun Day Foundation

•          Habilitat, Inc.

•          Hale Kipa

•          Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation

•          Hawaii Council on Economic Education

•          Hawaiian Kamalii, Inc.

•          Hospice of Kona

•          HUGS (Help, Understanding & Group Support)

•          Kaho’omiki on behalf of Niu Valley Playground

•          KAMP Hawaii

•          Keiki Kokua

•          Make-A-Wish Hawaii, Inc.

•          Making Dreams Come True, Valley of Rainbows

•          Marimed Foundation

•          Ohana Komputer

•          Pacific Big Boyz Football Conference

•          Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance

•          Palama Settlement

•          Positive Coaching Hawaii

•          Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii

•          Special Olympics Hawaii

•          Talk About Curing Autism

•          The Children’s Alliance of Hawaii, Inc.

•          Waikiki Community Center

•          Waikiki Health Center

•          Waimanalo Health Center

•          Young Women’s Christian Association of Oahu

•          YWCA of Kauai

NFL Giving encompasses the many ways that the National Football League, including its clubs, owners and players, strengthen communities nationwide. While representing the NFL’s heritage of community commitment and charitable engagement, NFL Giving encourages long-term health and wellness in communities; fosters community citizenship and philanthropy; advances sports-related medical research and education; and supports the health and well being of our former NFL players.

• There are 495 players who are lined up to be unrestricted free agents. They are currently in limbo and without a job. During the lockout, no team or player can negotiate terms of a deal and any dealings between a club and player are prohibited. No players can be signed or released.
• The NFL Draft will be held April 28-30 in New York City. Teams are not allowed to trade players for draft picks. The only allowable trades will be picks-for-picks. No draft selection will be able to workout at the team’s facility during the lockout. After the draft, no undrafted rookie will be able to sign.
• Injured players that are rehabilitating cannot use the team facility.
• Programs such as Organized Team Activities, mini camps and any conditioning sessions are not permissible. No contact between players and coaches is allowed.
• The league will stop paying the premiums on health insurance for the players. Players can continue coverage through COBRA and pay the premiums out of their own pocket.

QUOTES

“This obviously is a very disappointing day for all of us,” New York Giants owner John Mara. “I’ve been here for the better part of two weeks, and essentially … the union’s position on the core economic issues has not changed one iota. Their position has quite literally been ‘take it or leave it.’”

“It’s a sad day for football,” said free-agent offensive lineman Damien Woody, who played for the New York Jets last season.

“I think it’s wrong. I don’t see any reason for that to happen. … I am surprised and I’m disappointed. I think fans are losers more than anybody.” – Mike Ditka

“This is a time for our fans not to be discouraged,” Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson. “No anger and friction between the players and the teams. It has been actually a real learning experience for all of us. In due course, we’ll have an agreement.”

“Fans, players, everybody needs to take a deep breath and take it one day at a time. The season doesn’t start until September,” Buffalo Bills player rep Geroge Wilson said. “If we get to July, August and September and start losing games, then I can understand people getting emotional. But it’s March. Take a deep breath.”

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The NFL and players broke off labor negotiations before the collective bargaining agreement expired and now, the most popular league in the country will have its first work stoppage since 1987.

I wouldn’t say the 2011 season is in jeopardy just yet, but with the union decertified and heading to court, the owners locking out their talent and no real solution on how to allocate $9 billion a year, there’s a lot of work ahead if both parties don’t want to keep their fans waiting for football come the summer.

“We are locked out,” union president Kevin Mawae to The Associated Press. “We were informed today that players are no longer welcome at team facilities.”

What does this mean for the Oakland Raiders?

Here are some major issues to look at that will affect the Silver & Black during the lockout:

Oakland’s dependence on their youth.

The Raiders have a handful of young players that need to continue their leaning process through minicamps, OTAs and a full training camp.

It’s almost certain Oakland will not keep Nnamdi Asomugha considering the money allocated to other players retained once the CBA is back in place. So Chuck Bresnahan has to find out whether or not Walter McFadden or Jeremy Ware are ready for bigger roles at cornerback. And if Michael Huff departs via free agency, then incorporating Hiram Eugene – mostly a special teams ace in 2010 – and second year player Stevie Brown will be essential and time consuming.

Lamarr Houston enjoyed a solid rookie campaign, but Oakland needs him to grow as a player. Matt Shaughnessy has been commended by veterans such as Richard Seymour and is looked at as a key cog by coaches, but he needs the seasoning too. Along with Rolando McClain and Travis Goethel.

Then there’s the offensive line, where a project like Bruce Campbell could have some serious looks at right guard. With Tom Cable out of the picture, a new system being installed and a entirely different formation, Oakland needs time to get Jason Campbell’s protectors situated.

Lets not forget about Darrius Heyward-Bey. In two-seasons, he has amassed 35-catches, 490-yards receiving and two-touchdowns. In year three, that total has to be surpassed if this selection doesn’t want to be officially labeled an all-time bust.

FREE AGENCY

Sure the Raiders have been on the attack and attempted to sure up their roster for the future.

But Zach Miller, Michael Bush, Michael Huff, Nnamdi Asomugha, Robert Gallery and a few other who saw significant time on the field in 2010 could either be on the way out, or looking for new starts elsewhere.

Miller and Bush are essential to Hue Jackson’s offense. Yes, they have been tendered, but until they are signed, sealed and delivered, you have to wonder what the new attack will look like without them.

Huff and Asomugha are fifty-percent of the secondary and both you could speculate, based on Oakland’s actions, are on the way out.

NEW COACH

Hue Jackson faces a tough situation in his first-year as a head coach.

He no longer will just sit back and receive the praise for an offense that turned its fortunes around. Now, he has to face the fire when a whole club can’t get wins.

We’ll see how much of a master Jackson is with a rebuilt offensive line and more importantly, when he has more on his plate, such as dealing with the owner and attempting to oversee an entire football team.

That starts early on with minicamps and OTAs. Jackson won’t have those requisites whenever the 2011 season starts.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Against the San Diego Chargers, Huff tallied 11-tackles, one sack and a forced fumble.

The five-year veteran got to Philip Rivers late in the 4^th quarter and knocked the football loose which was picked up by Tyvon Branch and returned 64-yards for the game clinching score. That helped the Raiders snap a 13-game losing streak against their rivals.

“I knew I had to beat the one on one,” Huff said after the game. “I had to beat Sproles. I did that and just got a hand up and luckily I hit his arm. Once I saw Tyvon running I knew he wasn’t going to get caught, so I started celebrating.”

Huff was Oakland’s 1^st round selection (7^th overall) in the 2006 draft.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Nick Miller returning a punt vs. the Chargers

The Oakland Raiders debuted Nick Miller yesterday on punt returns. His 46-yard return was a jump-starting play that will allow him to keep the job for another week. “Yeah, it was caught on the 10-yard line, the guy was right in my face, made him miss and the basically just set up the next little move and off from there,’’ Miller commented today. “I just kind of reacted. Felt good.”

John Henderson is weeks away from seeing any action, but he did state that his foot is feeling better. “I feel good. I want to play. But I’m listening to the doc,’’ the hefty defensive tackle said.

Jason Campbell played well in relief, but there are no signs this early in the week about who will start when they face the San Francisco 49ers. “That’s the coaches’ decision. My goal is to keep preparing each and every week and keep getting ready and play my game,’’ Campbell was quoted.

Chris Johnson had one of the underrated plays of the afternoon. The cornerback darted in the Philip Rivers and prevented a Charger player from getting to the loose ball. “That was my intention to keep the ball free, because I seen him trying to pick it up,’’ Johnson said. “I could have actually tried to get it myself, but there was only me and Tyvon [Branch] around it and the offensive lineman, so my thing was, like we did last year with Cincinnati, go for the guy and knock him out of the way and let my guy get it, and it worked out.’’

Rolando McClain continues to be brief with the media. When asked about the win, he stated, “Good game. No comment.’’

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was in attendance to watch the Raiders snap their streak.

He answered many questions that surround the Raiders, the teams in the Bay area and other happenings around the league:

“I think we have a stadium issue in all the California cities, including San Diego , where we’re trying to get solutions for those stadiums, those cities and those teams. We’ve got to work hard to find the right kind of solution that will work for the community and for the team.” – about the stadium situation in OAK and SF.

The NFL commissioner had a good seat while in Oakland

“I was down there with fans and there’s no shortage for passion here, that’s for sure. We just need to get more fans and get more fans in the stadium. That’s something we’re being challenged with throughout the country but clearly it’s an issue here.” – on the attendance at the Coliseum.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Amendola hauled in a 6-yard catch in the 4^th quarter and during the tackle, McClain lifted and slammed the diminutive wide receiver. Oakland’s defender was flagged for unnecessary roughness and a few plays later, the Rams scored on that drive.

Tom Cable stated that Michael Bush practiced without limitations and he’ll be listed as probable for the game on Sunday versus the Arizona Cardinals.

“That remains to be seen,” Cable said about the rusher’s role. “He obviously did everything this week. He’s done a little bit the last two weeks. We’ll go in there and be smart about where and when we use him.”

Of concern as the week has wound down is John Henderson’s foot. The defensive lineman was in a boot on Monday and he stated that the injury was not serious. But Cable commented that it has not gotten better. With Richard Seymour healthy and ready to go and the solid performance by Desmond Bryant last weekend, it won’t surprise me to see the veteran Henderson inactive this weekend.

Robert Gallery (hamstring), Travis Goethel and Chaz Schilens will not play.

Beanie Wells, who expects to play against the Raiders, underwent a procedure to repair torn meniscus in his right knee earlier this month.

“I really wasn’t worried about what people knew and what people didn’t know,” Wells said. “I had a procedure done. I had to take some time off and I’m back from it.”

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

New Rules of Emphasis by NFL Officiating

The NFL referees met with the local media today to discuss the new rule changes and points of emphasis on existing rules.

One of the the new “tweaks” is the hitting the defenseless receiver rule. A 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty has already been assessed when a defender leads with his head and launches himself into the head of the receiver. Now, the rule has been expanded to cover hits to the receiver’s head AND neck by he defender’s helmet, shoulder, or arm. The 15-yard penalty is still enforced.

Also, the NFL Officiating Committee has expanded it’s protections of the long snapper on punts and kick-offs. Before, the nose tackle couldn’t line up directly in front of the snapper and had to have his helmet lined up outside the snapper’s shoulder pads. Now, because of continued injury or risk of injury to the long snapper, defender now must line up with their inside shoulder pad to the outside of the long snapper’s pads.

Two new rules have been introduced. The first one is the change in overtime possession. At the start of the overtime period, both teams will have an oportunity to possess the ball. The caveat being that if he team who gets the ball first scores a touchdown, they win the game. If the first team (Team A) who possess the ball scores field goal or doesn’t score at all, then the other team (Team B) gets possession. If Team B, while on the punt or kickoff, muffs the return and loses the ball (fumble) to Team A, then the game is over. A kickoff or punt return is considered a chance at possession. If both teams come away from their initial overtime tries with a 0-0 or 3-3 tie, then it goes BACK to sudden death rules. This new rule will only be applied to playoff games.

The other new rule is the ball is ruled dead if a ball carrier’s helmet comes off during live play regardless if he is tackled or not. The ball will be spotted at the spot when the helmet came off.

Oakland Raiders RB Darren McFadden visited school children in Richmond as part of the NFL and National Dairy Council’s Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative. McFadden encouraged Grant Elementary School students to eat healthy, get plenty of exercise and do well in school. The goal is to encourage kids to “fuel up” with more nutrient-rich foods — low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits; vegetables; whole grains; and meat and beans, and motivate kids to be more active and play for 60 minutes a day.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist