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Two defensive captains have been cut Womens Bryce Callahan Jersey , a respected veteran retired and the team's No. 1 receiver was traded away.The losses for the Oakland Raiders have been mounting on and off the field in recent weeks as a season that began with optimism has fallen apart at the midway point.After four straight losses, including a blowout by Bay Area rival San Francisco, have left the Raiders (1-7) tied for the worst record in the NFL, it's time to start looking to the future.To that end, coach Jon Gruden called in his rookie class Friday following the 34-3 loss to the 49ers and delivered a message to the group."He was just telling us he needs more from us rookies," defensive end Arden Key said Monday. "He needs more, more, more. He said we're doing pretty good but he needs more. It was a wake-up call and we answered."Little has gone right of late for the Raiders, who have been outscored by 85 points during a four-game losing streak. The team has also cut captains Bruce Irvin and Derrick Johnson during that span, watched cornerback Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie retire, and traded receiver Amari Cooper to Dallas for a first-round draft pick.That follows the trade one week before the start of the season that dealt star pass rusher Khalil Mack to Chicago for a package of picks, including two first-rounders.Oakland was last in the league with seven sacks before cutting ties with Irvin, who led the team with three. Only rookies Maurice Hurst (two sacks) and Key (one), along with Clinton McDonald (one) have sacks among players on the active roster.That's why Gruden wants more from his rookie class that also features defensive tackle P.J. Hall."I know right now the maturity level on this team has to rise up," veteran defensive lineman Frostee Rucker said. "We just have to be a complete team and do the little things better. That's what we're starting with today, trying to do the little things better."The Raiders also added some reinforcements Monday, signing defensive linemen Jacquies Smith and Kony Ealy to contracts.Ealy had 14 sacks in three seasons with Carolina from 2014-16, including three in a Super Bowl loss to Denver following the 2015 season. He was traded to New England in 2017, got cut by the Patriots and then signed with the New York Jets Josh Bellamy Jersey , where he had one sack in 15 games.Ealy spent training camp in Dallas before getting cut by the Cowboys on Sept. 1.Smith was originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and finally got his first chance to play in 2014 with Tampa Bay. He had 13 1/2 sacks in 27 games his first two seasons with the Buccaneers before suffering a major knee injury in 2016.Smith has played just seven games the past three seasons with Tampa, Detroit and Arizona, recording three tackles and no sacks in seven games. Smith was released by Arizona in September.Smith worked out for the Raiders in recent weeks and got the call Sunday, a day after Irvin was released. Smith said he feels as healthy as he has since before the injury and is eager for the chance to show what he can do."It's been very frustrating," he said. "Obviously, I have a ton of confidence in myself. Obviously, I've made a ton of plays in this league. Just getting back and getting that opportunity to do that. I'm very confident in my ability. Obviously, these guys see something in me to give me a shot."NOTES: The Raiders waived James Cowser. ... LT Kolton Miller didn't have a helmet at practice after re-injuring his right knee last Thursday. ... LG Kelechi Osemele participated in practice despite injuring his knee again against the 49ers. ... RB Marshawn Lynch stopped by practice for the first time since undergoing surgery on an injured groin last month. The Defensive Line Panel at the Bears 100th Celebration got both Akiem Hicks and Bears fans fired up to win..." The Bears DenNotesXs and OsSuperfansGreatness challenges Hicks, Bears defense to win it all this yearNew,15commentsThe Defensive Line Panel at the Bears 100th Celebration got both Akiem Hicks and Bears fans fired up to win...CDTOne of the most rousing parts of the recent Bears 100th celebration was the defensive line panel discussion, during which past great Chicago Bears players called out this year’s defense and challenged the 2019 Bears to win the Super Bowl.The panel, moderated by former Bears offensive lineman/center Tom Thayer included current Bear defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, as well as former Bears Bears DL greats Ed O’Bradovich, Chris Zorich, Tommie Harris and Hall Of Famer Dan Hampton.You can see the entire conference in the video below:Perhaps the most fired up panel member early was O’Bradovich, who talked about how narrow the championship window can be in the NFL, and then challenged the current Bears to seize the opportunity at hand to bring another Super Bowl home to Chicago.“The chicago bears are the footing and foundation of the national football league,” O’Bradovich stated. “Since 1946... we’ve won the world championship twice, ‘63 and in ‘85. Enough is enough.””I think what I see today http://www.thebearslockerroom.com/authentic-anthony-miller-jersey ,” he continued, “in this coaching staff, and I see the enthusiasm with this young team... they better come and they better get it, because I’ll tell you what, folks... you are not going to see these guys playing at this level for five years, seven years, ten years. It’s not going to happen.”The championship window is there right now, according to O’Bradovich. “It’s in front of them, they better see it, and I like the Bears a lot...” “It’s up to those kids.”After O’Bradovich finished, Hicks turned to him with a smile and said “You’ve got my blood boiling right now, look I’m sorry, I’m juiced up, I’m ready to go play right now...”There were many great moments for all who attended the event to see, but perhaps the most stirring came later on from Tommie Harris.“The reason we love football so much is it endures,” panel member and former Bears defensive lineman Harris told Hicks. “It teaches you how to constantly keep going after something. It’s the overcomer’s sport.”“It’s to encourage those that work a 9 to 5 all day to have something to come home to,” he continued, “to cheer for a team; to get you out of bed, make new friends at a bar Womens Sherrick McManis Jersey , meet new people and ( make ) connections. It’s why I played it and why I love the city of Chicago.”Looking directly at Hicks, Harris said “When you win, it takes all the crap that’s going on in your life … and it takes a load off of people in their day to day lives, Know that you’re putting ( out ) entertainment. You’re inspiring people that are working their butts off all day laboring somewhere. When you put your helmet, know that the city is behind you.”Anyone still seated in the crowd rose for an ovation. Hicks lifted his microphone to his mouth and paused.“I accept all of your challenges,” Hicks told Harris and the panel.“For this defense that we have here right now, you weren’t lying for a second,” Hicks continued. “We have some of the most ferocious, most talented, most aggressive, high-spirited, fun-loving, love-the-game-of-football guys that I’ve ever been around. For us not to take advantage of this moment that we have in front of us right now, we would be doing ourselves, you gentlemen up here and this city a disservice. We are going to take care of business.”