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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency Services City officials take Ice Bucket Challenge City could foreclose on abandoned houses Gold Hill mayor faces challenger; other races have one candidate each Medford man arrested on suspicion of dealing meth Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Medford man arrested on suspicion of dealing meth Medford man arrested after abandoning stolen vehicle on I-5 Wounded Klamath deputy has ties to Rogue Valley UPDATED: Arrests made in shooting of Klamath County deputy Politics and Elections Gold Hill mayor faces challenger; other races have one candidate each Medford proposes new rules for pawn shops to help nab thieves Lack of incumbents, pot issue draws 10 for Medford council races Council members in Gold Hill dodge voter recall Bill Pullman campaigns for Oregon GMO labeling law Education Medford charter school opens with many changes, including its name Superintendent welcomes staff to a new school year Safe haven: Art program provides a place for youth to express themselves Sacred Heart School gets new principal Medford School District considers gifted land for new school Environment Judge won't block release of water Ashland marchers won't give up on climate change message OR-7 could be recollared next month Deadly deer virus may be spreading Talent earns Bee City USA designation State news Nation - World Obituaries Ted E. Dawson Irene Margaret Vicki Lynn Kemmerer Richard Westergard Gordon Lee Monroe Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Hill sets record in Aggies’ upset Carr drives Raiders past Seahawks Angels rally in 10th to edge A's Crenshaw pulls off upset in SOGC FedEx Cup: Where a week can change everything Varsity 541 College Sports Hill sets record in Aggies’ upset Angels rally in 10th to edge A's Added pieces translate to high hopes for SOU 'D' Woods seeks return to form for Beavers Speed to burn Pro Sports Carr drives Raiders past Seahawks FedEx Cup: Where a week can change everything No touching After Rice, NFL increases domestic violence bans Cook whips up recipe for medalist honors Community Sports Crenshaw pulls off upset in SOGC Murphy claims victory in Stroke Play Championships South Korea downs Chicago for World Series title Results / Standings Second season a success for Rogues Business Latest Stories People in Business New Mercedes-Benz dealer is luxury car fan Brammo plans to keep jobs in Rogue Valley Improving economy could bring rebates for Oregon taxpayers Blog: When it comes to matching national demographics, Medford isn't even close Real Estate News Median residential housing prices rise 10.7 percent, but may begin to level out People In Business Transportation Agriculture Weisinger's Winery has earliest crush on record Amy's Kitchen begins expansion in White City Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, Aug. 29 Michael Gerson: The importance of history Other views: OLCC operates with little oversight Matthew T. Mangino: Violent crime was rampant not too long ago Granlund cartoon: Russian humanitarian aid to Ukraine Editorials Other views: OLCC operates with little oversight Our View: A vote for common sense in Gold Hill Our View: It's not the gear; it's how the gear is used Other Views: NCAA must maintain academic integrity Our View: Marijuana sales — a taxing problem Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Aug. 29 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 28 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 27 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 26 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 25 Guest Opinions The summer of my discontent: An open letter to Bill Rauch The power of local philanthropy Who I am and why I want to serve on the City Council Lifestyle Latest stories Religion briefs Efficient paddling is not an accident Fishing Report: Friday, Aug. 29 Applegate Lake's Payette Trail: The ride for the casual mountain biker Get Out: Friday, Aug. 29 Food What does 'natural' really mean? Fielding labels in search for a good egg The focus is on hospitality at Jaxon Vineyards Community blog: Silky stew or quick saute is summer's symphony Community blog: Onion pickles can wait for home-canning lull Home and Garden An August checklist for your garden Green Scene: Diagnosing common tomato troubles Lawn talk Tips for keeping backyard birds cool this summer Bath time for the birds: You can help them stay cool and clean Health Community blog: What the Brain Isn't - Mind or Love Community blog: The Unfriendly Skies (continued) Healthy Aging: Iron girls galore Community blog:Here�s How To Leave Despair For Resilience Health officials detect West Nile Virus in another Jackson County sample Hiking Faith Religion briefs Religion briefs Community Blog: Is Peace Possible in the Middle East - Part three of four Religion briefs Community Blog: Is Peace Possible in the Middle East part 2 Milestones and Achievements New Arrivals Shayla Brooke Grether and Jesse Levi Tanner Grange Co-Op garden helps feed the hungry Medford woman graduates with honors Century Club Columnist for a Day Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Bill Maher at Britt Festivals From business professor to artist Gypsy Soul performs at EdenVale Winery The Jeff Stanley Trio at Lounge South Alan Berman Trio at the Imperial Theater OSF presents 'The Alchemy of Gender' Randall Theatre extends 'Godspell' 'Pump Boys & Dinettes' opens at Camelot Theatre Film festival kicks off annual 'Daedalus Project' Review: The joy of 'Godspell' is infectious Music Brent Norton: A Rogue Valley Experience Bill Maher at Britt Festivals Gypsy Soul performs at EdenVale Winery The Jeff Stanley Trio at Lounge South Alan Berman Trio at the Imperial Community Events 5 Things to Do This Weekend From business professor to artist Shady Cove Tie Days Swap Meet 'Prints From the Plateau' at the Rogue Gallery Nature Walks in Lithia Park Dining Wild River Brewing & Pizza Co. NW Raw Kelly's Crepes Basil & Berries India Palace Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW UPDATED: Arrests made in shooting of Klamath County deputy ... UPDATED: Northbound I-5 reopens after FedEx truck burns ... 10 things to know for Thursday ... UPDATED: Arrests made in shooting of Klamath County deputy ... UPDATED: Northbound I-5 reopens after FedEx truck burns ... 10 things to know for Thursday ... NFL Raiders hope rebuild pays immediate dividends By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 26, 2014 @ 5:53 pm By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 26, 2014 @ 5:53 pm » Social News OAKLAND, Calif. — The time for excuses for the Oakland Raiders is over. After spending two years tearing apart a struggling team beset by bad draft picks and out-of-whack contracts, general manager Reggie McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen finally got the chance to build the type of team they wanted since coming aboard before the 2012 season. Two years of bargain-basement shopping led to back-to-back four-win seasons that left the fan base and owner Mark Davis frustrated. McKenzie was able to open the wallet this offseason, committing to more than $100 million worth of contracts for new players in trades and free agency in hopes of ending an 11-year playoff drought. “What’s been done here in the past is unacceptable and we need to begin to win some football games,” Allen said. “We’re all in on that philosophy and that’s kind of our attitude.” The Raiders used most of that money this offseason on short-term contracts for aging players with a history of success in the NFL, guys with questions about whether they would still be able to reach those levels at advanced ages. There has been a notable impact on the team’s mindset already after adding players such as Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley, Maurice Jones-Drew and James Jones. “This year we have that sense of urgency here,” said fullback Marcel Reece, one of three Raiders position players who have been with the franchise since 2008. “There’s more veteran leadership on both sides of the ball. It’s encouraging to have a group of guys around you that have the same sense of urgency.” Whether that translates to more success on the field will depend heavily on the performance of quarterback Matt Schaub, slated to be Oakland’s 18th starting quarterback since 2003. Schaub was run out of Houston after last season when he set an NFL record by having an interception returned for a touchdown in four straight games. Despite a rocky preseason and a sore throwing elbow, the Raiders believe Schaub can solidify the revolving door at quarterback and once again be the player who posted five straight seasons with a passer rating above 90. “You can’t make it anywhere in this game without having confidence through the roof,” Schaub said. “You’re going to go through ups and downs as a player. It’s how you bounce back from it.” Here are some things to watch with the Raiders this season: SHINY NEW CARR: Even before Schaub took his first snap in Oakland, the Raiders drafted his replacement when they picked Derek Carr out of Fresno State. Carr has a stronger arm and is a better athlete than Schaub. He could take over the job sooner than expected if Schaub struggles to start the season or is hampered by a sore throwing elbow that forced him to miss some practice time. Carr still must show he can stand in against NFL pass rushers and be as effective operating from under center as he was in the shotgun at Fresno State. REVOLVING CORNER: For the third straight offseason, the Raiders brought in a pair of new starting cornerbacks. Oakland hopes Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers fare better than Shawntae Spencer and Ron Bartell in 2012, and Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter last season. Rogers was originally slated to be the nickel cornerback but moved into a starting role with last year’s top pick DJ Hayden still sidelined by a stress fracture in his right foot. RUN TO DAYLIGHT: Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden are coming off rough seasons when both averaged less than 3.5 yards per carry. The two former 1,000-yard backs showed signs of resurgence this summer as both were in good health and tiptop shape. With a big offensive line suited to a power running game, Jones-Drew and McFadden are set up to have strong seasons that could take pressure off the passing game. MIGHTY MACK: No. 5 overall pick Khalil Mack gives the Raiders a potential impact pass rusher they have lacked in recent seasons. Mack is still learning the pro game but has shown the strength and athleticism to get to the quarterback. With the additions of Tuck, Woodley and Antonio Smith on the defensive line, the Raiders might not need to rely as heavily on blitzes last year, which should help shore up a suspect secondary. HOME SWEET HOME: The Raiders are playing this season with a one-year lease at the dilapidated Oakland Coliseum. Davis has said he is not interested in another short-term lease and wants to get a deal for a new stadium in Oakland before committing to stay here. Davis has already met with city leaders in San Antonio and also has interest in moving the team back to Los Angeles if no deal is reached in Oakland. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 26, 2014 @ 5:53 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football Bridgewater-Cassel Fantasy Reaction Aug. 29, 2014 at 12:34 am Tim Wright's Updated Fantasy Outlook Aug. 29, 2014 at 12:17 am Fantasy Reaction for Manziel vs. Hoyer Aug. 28, 2014 at 11:08 pm Maclin Will Be Fantasy Star This Year Aug. 28, 2014 at 8:17 pm Miles Austin Worth Late-Round Flier in Fantasy Aug. 28, 2014 at 5:18 pm Saints RB Thomas Is 'PPR Heartthrob' Aug. 28, 2014 at 12:22 pm calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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