Raiders secretly prepare for high altitude game against Texans in Mexico City

Wayne Freedman Image
ByWayne Freedman KGO logo
Thursday, November 17, 2016

ALAMEDA, Calif. (KGO) -- Some top secret training is going on in Alameda to help the Oakland Raiders prepare for their next game against the Houston Texans.[br /][br /]They'll be playing in Mexico City Monday night.[br /][Ads /][br /][br /][br /][b]RELATED: [url HREF="http://abc7news.com/sports/former-raider-tony-stewart-runs-new-routes-with-chick-fil-a/1607249/" TARGET="" REL=""]Former Raider Tony Stewart runs new routes with Chick-fil-A[/url][/b][br /][br /]It's not the Pentagon, but might be close. A building filled, not with state secrets, but football secrets. Inside there's code of silence.[br /][br /]"We got things going on. I'd rather not say," said defensive tackle Justin Ellis. When asked why everyone was so secret he said, "That's how it be. How it is."[br /][br /]Peering between the cracks, here's what we know: This week the Raiders travel to Mexico City for a Monday night game against Houston.[br /][Ads /][br /]They've been getting ready.[br /][br /]When the Raiders practice in Alameda, or play in Oakland, they're essentially at sea level. Denver, by contrast, is a mile high and Mexico City is 7400 feet--thin air.[br /][br /]It's not alpine thin certainly. They won't need a Sherpa, but the Raiders did send Latavius Murray in advance to scout the conditions.[br /][br /]"Yeah I've been over twice now," said Murray. "I worked out once in the hotel room but that was indoors."[br /][Ads /][br /][br /][br /][b]FULL INTERVIEW: [url HREF="http://abc7news.com/sports/full-interview-ronnie-lott-reveals-plan-to-save-the-oakland-raiders/1571620/[br /]" TARGET="" REL=""]Bay Area legend Ronnie Lott shares plan to save Raiders with ABC7's Mike Shumann[/url][/b][br /][br /]According to rumors, some of the players have prepped for next week's game by packing training masks that simulate the effects of high altitude.[br /][br /]There are some flaws associated with the mask.[br /][br /]"With a mask on, you can't really hear them..." Jihad Ward said.[br /][br /]We're with you Raiders, but one secret at least is out.[br /][br /][b][i]You can watch the Raiders take on the Texans on ABC7 Monday at 5 p.m.[/i][/b][br /][br /][b][url HREF="http://abc7news.com/raiders/" TARGET="" REL=""]Click here[/url] for full coverage on the Oakland Raiders.[/b]

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