Key Additions:
C Stefan Wisniewski (draft)
CB DeMarcus Van Dyke (draft)
TE Kevin Boss (FA)
QB Trent Edwards (FA)T Stephon Hoyer (FA)
G Justin Smiley (FA)
Key Departures:
CB Nnamdi Asomugha
TE Zach Miller
T Robert Gallery
LB Thomas Howard
T Langston Walker
WR/PR Johnnie Lee Higgins
Report:
Last year, Oakland finally fought it's way out of high draft picks and being the laughing stock of the NFL with a .500 record. The reason for this was stability at quarterback. The Raiders finally ditched QB JaMarcus Russell and opted for hard working Jason Campbell. Jason Campbell was a reliable quarterback because the running game was the second in the NFL. Top 5 pick RB Darren McFadden finally lived up to his potential and Michael Bush complemented him well. Oakland needs their running game to be as good as it was last season to compete. Reliable target Zach Miller left during free agency, but Oakland has replaced him TE Kevin Boss. At wide receiver Jacoby Ford is looking to break out with Louis Murphy at his side. Speedy WR Darius Heyward-Bey doesn't seem to be living up to his potential as a deep threat. A familiar face in the O-Line is gone as Robert Gallery has left. Other than Gallery the rest of the line is all intact. They did sign T Jared Gaither, but at the last minute the Raiders declined and opted for Khalif Barnes. G Joseph Barksdale will be asked to contribute to the protection of Jason Campbell.
The key loss of this defense is CB Nnamdi Asomugha, who was the main free agent prize. Luckily, for Oakland they have another sturdy corner in Stanford Routt. They also drafted CB DeMarcus Van Dyke who will be requested to contribute. The Raiders re-signed S Michael Huff and and retained the rest of their secondary. They also have kept LB Kamerion Wimbley with a huge deal, and got overpaid. Teaming up with Wimbley is Rolando McClain and Quentin Groves. Anchoring the defensive line is veteran Richard Seymour. Joining him there is Thomas Kelly, who had the best year of his career after getting his large contract. DE Matt Shaughnessy also had a decent year last year as did Lamarr Houston.
K Sebastian Janikowski has been kicking for 10 seasons and doesn't seem to be slowing down. P Shane Lechler was in the top 2 in avg. punt yards and avg. net yards last year, so he is one of the top kickers. Jacoby Ford handles the kick-offs, but the punt returner position is vacant after Johnnie Lee Higgins left for Philadelphia.
Review:After a good season Oakland is looking to improve more and make a playoff berth. After going 6-0 in the division they have reasons to be excited. The organization didn't make any big moves and mainly kept there own players, which shows trust. The defense has holes in run game and there is no consistent target now that Zach Miller is gone. The running game was the strength last year and teams now know that and will stop it forcing QB Jason Campbell to make plays he can't.
Division Finish: TBA
Nice read but your article needs to be updated in a major way. One, Smiley retired. Two, based on all reports, it appears that Denarius Moore is going to be regarded as a key pick up. Gaither was believed to have been signed, but it never happened because he didn't pass the physical.
ReplyDeleteYour last two sentences are ...just unfactual. Miller has been replaced by Boss. He is a solid TE that played a key role in the Giants success. Campbell made Cooley a household name. Why wouldn't Campbell and Boss work?
You think last year teams weren't aware that the Raiders were 2nd in rushing? You don't think they scouted? Much of what you are saying here is really unfounded.
Thank you for your opinion. I am definitely going to use this, because I want to make my blog the best it can be. Please follow if you want more NFL and sports stories.
ReplyDelete