The Oakland Raiders Need to "Go Deep"

One year ago, the Oakland Raiders selected the No. 1 overall pick in the draft—JaMarcus Russell. Visions of former Raiders' legends scrambling down the field for that Hail Mary were dancing in owner Al Davis's head, just like the good old days.

But wait, don’t the Raiders employ a West Coast offense under Head Coach Lane Kiffin that concentrates on dinks and dunks down the field while eating up the clock? Where is Cliff Branch? Is there someone with blazing speed to catch those deep balls?

With an arm like Russell’s, they surely need a deep threat in a wide receiver, but most importantly the playbook needs to accommodate such talent. With a rejuvenated run offense which compiled the sixth most yards in the NFL while playing from behind (which makes it truly remarkable), it may be time to draw up a few play action deep passes.

Maybe with the insertion of James Lofton as a receivers' coach and the acquisition of Walker the coaching staff will bring back the deep threat. It's just not the same Raiders without the long bomb—and they clearly have the QB to succeed. 

Who knows? Maybe Kiffin will loosen up the conservative play-calling this season and go deep. At this point there isn't much for the Silver and Black to lose.

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