The Oakland Raiders: A Pro Bowl Offense?

Chaz Schilens is a guy with Al Davis' favorite measurables, with a Tom Cable attitude. At 6'4", 215 lbs, and a 4.38 forty time, Schilens is the prototypical WR.

With questions of durability, Schilens fell to the Raiders in the seventh round of the 2008 draft.

If Al Davis likes one thing, he loves to find a steal. With impressive measurables, Schilens' work ethic is what caught my eye.

In midseason, Schilens took the starting spot from veteran Ronald Curry as a rookie. Unfortunately, injuries would hurt his production until the last two games.

Now in the offseason, Schilens knows he will be the starter, and yet works as if he is still a seventh round rookie that is trying to make the team.

Known for his deep routes in college, Schilens has prided himself on running the entire route tree and showing quality hands in OTA's.

Comparison: Randy Moss, NE Patriots

Moss may have struggled in Oakland, but you can't deny his talent. If used correctly, Schilens can have a Randy Moss-like impact, without the attitude problems.

Zach Miller is no doubt the fan favorite coming into 2009. Miller has been the insurance policy for his quarterback since being drafted in 2007. In a run-first offense, Miller has shown he can also block in both the running and passing games.

Now, with more pass-blocking tight ends on the roster, Miller should have a career-high season, and possibly even a Pro Bowl berth.

Comparison: Jeremy Shockey, NO Saints

Say what you want about the Raiders' drafts, but the Raiders have drafted not just talent, but also character. Like Schilens, Miller won't have the prima donna attitude that has described Shockey's career.

Johnnie Lee Higgins had his struggles as a rookie; however, in year two, he made strides as both a punt returner and receiver. Higgins was the Raiders offense through special teams play.

As a wide receiver, Higgins may not have been the most polished, but definitely the most explosive.

I expect Higgins to be the third down threat as a WR and be a yards-after-catch specialist in 2009.

Comparison: Santonio Holmes, PIT Steelers

Holmes is a very good receiver who, like Higgins, took a few years to develop. The one phrase I would use to describe both receivers is "heart over physical tools". Sometimes, it's what you can't measure that is the biggest attribute.

Darren McFadden is probably going to be the most improved player offensively. In week two, Darren McFadden showed his explosiveness and toughness against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Turf toe to both toes would hinder his rookie year, but he showed flashes of greatness throughout. Darren McFadden should be and all-around playmaker showing up as a rusher and receiver.

Comparison: Marshall Faulk, retired, STL Rams

McFadden will be a threat as a receiver, due to the way he can eat up space the way Faulk did in his career.

McFadden will be a playmaker for defenses watch out for the same way they had to watch Faulk in the 90s.

Darrius Heyward-Bey may have been the most controversial pick in the 2009 draft. He will have a lot of pressure on him as a rookie, but most of that pressure will come form the media, and not so much from the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders know that they have other young receivers who have experience, yet still need to be developed. This means that they can take their time with DHB regardless of what the media wants to see.

The speedy receiver from Maryland is the prototypical receiver at 6'2. Though he is fast, he is not small, weighing in at 210 with a strong upper body.

Comparison: Torry Holt, JAC Jaguars (originally STL Rams).

There is no question that Torry Holt's hands are better than DHB's, but as a rookie Holt was the speed threat for the Rams, DHB will be the deep threat for the Raiders. Let's hope we can find an Isaac Bruce on the Roster.

This guy is a bruiser. He is going to pound defenses to a pulp in the fourth quarter, especially if McFadden is used effectively.

We all saw his breakaway speed in Week 2 against Kansas City and Week 17 against Tampa Bay, but he also got the short yardage and red zone carries.

Comparison: Stephen Jackson, STL Rams.

Finally—the quarterback. The Raiders' No. 1 pick struggled in year one as a starter, but no doubt improved by seasons end.

We know he can throw the ball from Oakland to San Francisco, but in the last six weeks, we saw his accuracy and football IQ improve vastly.

At 6'6 260, Russell is a strong quarterback who can stand strong in the pocket, but also make plays with his legs,

Comparison: Donovan McNabb, PHI Eagles

Coming out of college, Russell was compared to a young Daunte Culpepper, but Culpepper used his legs to run, whereas Russell uses his legs to remain a passer a lot like McNabb.

However, I do expect Russell to rush the ball more himself in 2009 as he becomes a more experienced QB.