As I sit here in my office, I gaze amazingly at my framed 2002 AFC Champion Oakland Raiders team photo.
Why am I amazed?
Is it that a shlub like Bill Callahan was able to take this team to a Super Bowl? Is it that only two players (Sea Bass and Lechler) are the only remaining members left on our current roster?
No, as I look at that team photo, I cannot help but notice what I perceive to be an undeniable mediocre bunch of players. Jon Ritchie, Marquis Walker, Randy Jordan, Chris Cooper, Frank Middleton, and Roland Williams. All key members that helped us win the AFC, but more importantly, very replaceable athletes that could be forgotten quite easily.
I contend that this year's squad has every bit as much talent as that, but what is missing is cohesion and a sense of stability. I'll be the first to admit that JaMarcus has to make quantum leaps to be mentioned in the same sentence as Rich Gannon. But with that being said, I can't help but feel excited about the possibilities this team can pose.
I realize that Fargas and Tommy Kelly might have been overpaid to stay, but word I'm getting is they wanted to remain in Oakland. As soon as the wins come, free agency won't be the most exciting time to be a Raider fan.
I'm hopeful that we can start to develop a little something called chemistry and the term "Raider Nation" will include most of the players.
Is 9-7 an unrealistic dream for this year’s team? I really don't think so in this extremely weak division. Hell, let's go for 11-5! Can't wait to get this year's team photo.
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6 months ago
Nice, short article. More than a few of us were wondering about the Kelly deal, a lot of money for a guy coming off of an ACL injury. Here's to hoping for the best.
6 months ago
We are definitely on the RISE. It's between US and the Chargers now. Raiders will win big this year!!!
6 months ago
Yes Raider Bob. It is time. The Autumm wind is a Raider! Al Davis is taking us back to the promise land.
5 months ago
9-7 is not unrealistic. Considering the schedule, 9-7 would be a disappointment. With Baltimore, Kansas City and Miami officially in rebuilding mode, there's no reason that Oakland should lose those games. The Broncos are also weak--Oakland should have swept them in 2007. Carolina, Atlanta, New Orleans, Houston, Buffalo, Cincinnati, the Jets, and Tampa Bay are all winnable games -- just depends on the breaks. New England and San Diego are the only real tests (on paper). Personally, I think the Raiders have enough to finish at least 11-5 vs that bunch.
As for JaMarcus Russell, the one thing that most top "black quarterbacks" seem to have in common is the ability to win at an early age. Michael Vick, Daunte Culpepper, Donovan McNabb, and Vince Young (sorry, Akili Smith) were all top picks in the draft and were able to progress early to lead their teams to victory--unfortunately, Culpepper fissled out after Randy Moss was traded and Vick, well, we all know what happened there. Keep in mind though, that Carson Palmer, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger were all able to do the same thing. It's just that the "black quarterbacks" just seem to find ways to win when they are on the field, which is why I'm optimistic about J-Russ in 2008; assuming that Oakland commits to the running game and just allows J-Russ to throw rainbows to Javon Walker.
Also, don't diss Jon Ritchie. Ritchie was not a mediocre player and in fact was a key blocker to the Oakland offense, which is why the offense fell flat when he left -- one of the reasons. Rich Gannon had become too accustomed to having Ritchie around that he did not compensate for the absence of his lead blocker and paid with a neck injury against Tampa Bay.
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