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We’ve all been fixated on the coaching change in Oakland where Al Davis elected not to renew Tom Cable’s contract despite, by all accounts, the Raiders making significant, if inconsistent, progress this season. However, with the changes com…
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour will miss the game against the Indianapolis Colts with an injured hamstring. Seymour is on the inactive list for Sunday’s game. The Raiders are also without starting right tackle Langston Walker, who is …
For those of you not counting down, it is only 17 days until the Oakland Raiders assemble in Napa, California for their training camp. There will be several position battles beginning on July 28, all of which will play prominent roles in determining who cracks the starting lineup and who gets cut.
I will rank the importance of these position battles from last to first.
Free Safety: This match is pinning Michael Huff (No. 7 overall draft pick in 2006) against restricted free agent Hiram Eugene, who the Raiders signed as an undrafted rookie in 2006. Eugene has piled up 106 career tackles, with six passes defensed and 1 INT (last season vs. Pittsburgh), and he’s never played a full season.
Michael Huff was handed the starting job as a rookie in 2006. Since then, he has made 215 tackles, 31 passes defensed, and four INTs (three last year).
My Prediction: Huff and Eugene have had a back-and-forth style. Tom Cable benched Huff for Eugene back in 2008. Then in 2009, Huff started strong, with three INTs in the first two games. But he then went quiet until he made a lights-out shot on Brandon Marshall in Denver as the Raiders won. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj4FFsctEcA
I expect to see another power struggle between these guys. Contract sizes have made the last say on playing time in the past, which I will mention again later. If this is the case, Huff will get the job but it won’t be safe.
Defensive End: On one side of the line, there is Richard Seymour. He has no threat to take his playing time. But the other side is up for grabs, with Matt Shaugnessy (26 tackles, four sacks as a rookie in 2009) against Lamarr Houston (second round pick from Texas) and Jay Richardson (82 tackles, seven sacks in three years). J-Rich has never had the consistency to hold his side of the line. Shaugnessy is still young as he enters his second year and Lamarr Houston has never played in the NFL.
My Prediction: I expect to see a rotation that varies on passing or rushing situations. J-Rich has always been a good pass rusher, but he was outperformed by the rising Matt Shaugnessy. Lamarr Houston was a tackle in college, so he has the size to stuff the run on the edge.
Outside Linebacker: Thomas Howard (314 tackles, seven INTs and four sacks in four years) was replaced on his edge last year by defensive end turned outside line-backer Trevor Scott (57 tackles, 12 sacks, and one FF in two years).
Defensive Coordinator Jon Marshall likes to use Scott as a blitz-backer. While Thomas Howars looks better in pass coverage, six of his seven INTs came in 2007. Howard was given a restricted free agent tender this offseason. If he fails to improve his all-around game, he could be out of Oakland in 2011.
My Prediction: I see another rotation here. Trevor Scott should be used in passing situations if he blitzes and Howard should be used for coverage. As far as running situations go, that is for training camp to decide.
Running Back: Darren McFadden ( 217 carries for 856 yards and five TDs in two years) is challenged by Michael Bush (218 carries for 1,010 yards and six TDs in two years). I mentioned earlier how contracts can determine playing time, here is a case of that.
McFadden has stuggled through injuries and been to weak to break tackles while Michael Bush led the Raiders in YPC last year at a stellar 4.8 frame. With Justin Fargas gone, these two will be able to show what they can do with a full season to work with.
My Prediction: With Hue Jackson calling plays, the Raiders are expected to have more power running plays to set up the play-action passes. With power running, I would expect Michael Bush to take the majority of the carries. McFadden can find a home for himself as a receiver out of the backfield, or as a change of pace runner.
Remember all the talk of Marcus Allen moving to receiver when he was young, then remember what a great career he had? Who says McFadden can’t do the same?
Offensive Tackle: With Cornell Green gone, there are three options: rookie Jared Veldheer (who just signed with the Raiders), Langston Walker (in his second stint with Oakland), and Khalif Barnes (supposed to compete last year until he broke his ankle in training camp).
None of these men can be as bad as Green was last year. If they are, the Raiders are in trouble.
My Prediction: Judging by the OTAs, I think this job is going to go to Khailf Barnes, but training camp will have the final say. Walker is pushing Barnes for the job and Veldheer is always an option. Look how well Jake Long worked for Miami as a rookie. But Veldheer is not Jake Long.
Quarterback: The team will only be as good as the QB. This was a proven fact when Bruce Gradkowski led the Raiders to wins against the Bengals and at Pittsburgh while JaMarcus Russell got the Raiders clobbered week in and week out.
Jason Campbell comes off a season where he threw for 3,618 yards with 20 TDs and 15 INTs. Not great numbers, but legendary compared to Russell. Gradkowski is likely the biggest threat to J.C. after his great play last year. Gradkowski was never benched from the starter job, he lost it to injury.
My Prediction: I think we can all say that Campbell will start opening day against the Titans. He has the abilities to lead the Raiders back to respectability but he is not being given his money before he does that. J.C. has two years left on his contract and he will make less than $5 million both seasons. If he was only in it for the money, he would have not shown up to OTAs.
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Emperor of :Raider Nation”, Al Davis, has been the subject of ridicule since their Super Bowl run in 2002. I was among those critics at one time.
Davis did have some misses, but one must realize just how much Davis has had to endure.
In the world of sports, aging and injuries are considered natural disasters. The Raiders had plenty…at the same time.
Then, there were sudden departures of talented players. I consider those to be self-imposed disasters, but also happened right around the same time.
Look at the history of the Oakland Raiders and you’ll see that rebuilding is something that Davis is not used to. Davis has always been able to get a few players to get right back into contention. This time, though, there were too many holes for a quick fix.
His first attempt at rebuilding happens to be his job of a lifetime. That may have caused him to panic, clouding his judgement on some of those players.
From 2002 to 2006, Davis missed badly on most of his personnel choices, digging “Raider Nation” an even deeper hole.
I believe that the panic caused these misses.
Just look at all the holes that needed filling at after the Super Bowl loss. Quarterback Rich Gannon suddenly suffered a career ending injury ; tantamount to the death of a King without an heir.
Then, huge holes were created on the offensive line with the departures of All-Pro’s Lincoln Kennedy (tackle) and Barrett Robbins (center). Frank Middleton was also a key departure.
Robbins’ departure, however, was most disturbing.
It started in early 2003, when he was missing in acton the week of the Super Bowl. From there, he had problems that trumped any blocking assignment he ever had.
Also, the running back position was gutted after Charlie Garner and Tyrone Wheatly, “Thunder and Lightning”, were taken by father time.
Old age also wrecked havoc on the receiver position, when Jerry Rice and Tim Brown left.
There was also a disturbing departure on the defense when tackle Darrell Russell experienced off the field troubles. Those troubles took him away from more than just football ; they took his life in 2004. RIP Darrell.
At linebacker, the “heart and soul” of the Raider defense was Greg Beikert. No one would mistake him for Ray Lewis, but he was a key loss as well.
The Raider’s secondary was the best in the league back then with Rod Woodson and Eric Allen, two of the best defensive backs in NFL history. However, age caught up with them too.
Charles Woodson is still one of the best cover corners in the league, but a turf toe injury convinced Davis that Woodson wouldn’t be the same. Davis allowed Woodson to sign elsewhere.
By this point, the Raiders had what resembled an expansion team moving forward. All they had that would remain until now were punter Shane Lechler and kicker Sebastian Janikowski.
The Raiders have only a hand full of players drafted from 2002 to 2006 that are currently set to make big contributions this year.
Langston Walker was a promising second round 2002 pick that chased the money to Buffalo in 2006. Walker has since come back home to Oakland, and was reportedly “looking good” in minicamp. It appears that he has the the inside track to start right tackle this year.
Another pick still working for the Raiders is Nnamdi Asomugha. We don’t need to talk about what he’s done in Raider Nation.
Robert Gallery is a player from that time still in silver and black, who had heard whispers of being “bust” in the black hole. However, Gallery has bounced back and come a Pro Bowl caliber guard.
Michael Huff also went through his share of bust whispers. For whatever reason, he played strong safety and struggled in the box his first two years. Now, Huff now looks to be well adjusted at free safety, picking off three passes last year.
With such a small amount of draft picks panning out from 2002 to 2007, it is no wonder why the Raiders have the worst record in the league since 2002.
2007 is when the rebuilding process truly started, as Davis was able to make up a lot of ground fast by finding late round gems.
Jamarcus Russell was the first round failure of the 2007 draft, but the Raiders did better throughout that draft.
Zach Miller, now one of the best tight ends in the league, was a great pick in the second round. I can’t wait to see what he does with a Jason Campell at quarterback.
Michael Bush was a late round gem in 2007 as well. Bush will be the “Thunder” portion of the Raider backfield this year after showing flashes, despite bad offensive line play, last year.
2008 first round pick Darren McFadden, meanwhile, is the “Lightning” portion of the Raider backfield. McFadden has blazing speed and good hands out of the backfield. However, he needs the offensive line to give him creases to run through , and keep him healthy.
Strong safety Tyvone Branch is a 2008 late round gem. At 6’0″ 205 lbs., Branch is a much better fit in the box than Huff. He should soon see a Pro Bowl.
DE\OLB Trevor Scott is another 2008 late round gem, racking up five sacks in his first year without starting a single game. Last year, Scott had seven sacks in six starts, both of those totals tied for the team lead.
2008 gem Chaz Schilens looks every bit the part of a late round diamond. At 6’4″, he has the size to go along with blazing speed, hands, and route running. After a promising rookie campaign, a broken foot took time away from Schillens last year.
2009 Has yet to be completely figured out.
First round receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey battled injuries, and struggled with drops when he did play. Although, not many receivers are first year sensations.
The jury is also still out on second round pick Mike Mitchell. His skeleton rattling hits in college reminded Davis of Jack Tatum, but he too battled injuries all last year.
Late round gem Louis Murphy was the Raiders most productive wide out in 2009. He struggled with drops last year, but improved in that area to become “Mr. Big Catch.”
Should Heyward-Bey be a bust, Murphy will continue to make up for him.
2010 looks like the best draft the Raiders have had from top to bottom in years with needs met, and no reaches.
A home run was hit in the first round with Rolando McClain, the physical, instinctive middle linebacker the Raiders need to help fix their run defense. McClain played for a pro style defensive coordinator in college, no doubt easing his transition into the NFL.
Disruptive defensive tackle Lamarr Houston was taken in the second round. The early reports are that Houston will be moved to defensive end, but he will improve the run defense either way.
The 6’7″ 315 lb. Bruce Campbell is a height, weight, and speed freak. This led many to believe the Raiders would reach for him in the first round.
Davis didn’t reach and still got Campbell in the fourth round. Cable is looking to use Campbell at guard instead of tackle so he can make an immediate impact.
Khalif Barnes was resigned to solidify the Raiders offensive line. This will finally allow Bush and McFadden to shine.
The 2011 draft has already started for the Raiders with Richard Seymour as their first pick (trade). He has and will continue to make a bigger impact than anyone they could possibly draft in 2011.
Seymour’s veteran leadership will show the younger Raider defensive lineman how it’s done. His three Super Bowl rings give him instant credibility
The 2012 fourth round pick for the Raiders is Jason Campbell. He makes up for the 2007′s mistake with Russell in more ways than one.
Campbell upgrades the position and is exactly where Russell should be now.
Campbell managed to improve each year despite being in circumstances worse than Russell’s. Last year, His QB rating of 86 nearly doubled Russell’s rating of 48.
All of this brings Raider Nation more hope than there has been in years.
The great depression may be over, and the reconstructon of “Raider Nation” appears to be near complete!
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At 6’1″, 212 pounds, Darren McFadden is the exact same size as OJ Simpson was as an NFL running back. Simpson could, and McFadden still can, run with the wind.
How can I compare McFadden to a Hall of Fame running back?
Because the Hall of Fame running back’s NFL career started out the same way.
Simpson came out as the highly-touted Heisman Trophy winner. McFadden came out just as touted, but only with Doak Walker Award and as the Heisman runner-up.
Simpson showed flashes in his first couple of years, but didn’t live up to his Heisman hype. Missing seven games in his first two years due to injury didn’t help either.
McFadden showed those same flashes and also has not lived up to the hype so far. He missed seven games in his first two years as well.
Simpson was called another Heisman Trophy flop. McFadden is getting the same treatment now, only they use the word “bust.”
They were both highly decorated college players. They had good size. They also had moves, vision, and world-class speed.
What is the problem?
Before you guys start suggesting that he move to receiver, they tried that with Simpson.
The both went to horrible teams. Neither one of these men had even solid offensive lines. That’s probably why they were hurt a lot in the beginning.
So what happens from here?
With Simpson, things changed and that led to a Hall of Fame career.
Lou Saban was brought in to coach the Buffalo Bills. He went out and got five great lineman and put together a defense to get the ball back.
The results were outstanding. Simpson was able to get through a 14-game season. In his fourth season, he went over the 1,000 yard mark. That was only the beginning.
In his fifth, he topped off his Hall of Fame career with the legendary 2,000 yard season for which he’ll forever be known. Well, I guess he’ll be known for what he did decades later too. But I’m not going there.
McFadden’s story is still being written. Tom Cable was hired as head coach toward the end of 2008. Al Davis has put together a defense that can get the ball back.
Cable is an offensive line coach that is known for his zone-blocking scheme and good offensive line play. Missing have been the players on the line to make it all work.
At this time, two or three out of five isn’t bad. Langston Walker came back to Oakland last season and played well in relief of injured Robert Gallery.
It looks like Walker will start at right tackle this season as Gallery returns from injury. If he stays healthy, Gallery will see a Pro Bowl sometime in the not so far future.
Khalif Barnes is the “or three” in this deal. He looks to be headed to right guard, but I wish he could have another shot at left tackle if the Raiders can’t make another pick-up.
One thing we in Raider Nation want is for McFadden to get started this year (his third), and not his fourth as Simpson did. Obviously, other factors will decide (offensive line).
Is this the rough start to a legendary career or confirmation that he is a bust?
To me, it depends on what is done about the offensive line.
Right now we can’t see a 2,000 yard season in his future. Michael Bush will be the “RUN” to his “DMC” as they split carries. But they can both reach 1,000.
But who knows?
Chris Johnson pulled of the ultimate solo performance last season.
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