Now, being early in the year, and we're still fleshing out the bugs, some of this is obviously subject to change. But, as well, some of it probably won't change much.
Oakland is testing out the high-powered running game most teams would love to experience. You can't really blame Oakland for this feeling, after watching McFadden's highlight films. But also, having him, Michael Bush, and Fargas lining up for carries will serve two purposes.
First, they can always have fresh legs. Last year, this proved useful, with Lamont Jordan going down hurt in Miami, and then Fargas shutting down with two games to go.
The second aspect is what will help the most, though. A strong running game will take the pressure off of JaMarcus Russell, who's going to start an opening game for the first time in his young NFL career.
Now, which would you prefer to have as an accessory to the future, a game of merry-go-round, or a full throttle offense, ready to chew the yardage? With the addition of the running game, Russell can mix up plays or run the ball himself. He's a big fella, similar to Culpepper in that fashion.
The next aspect to look at, for Oakland, is the wide receiver group. Curry is coming back, Higgins is coming back, and there are two draft picks coming in as well. As the days go by, we might also pick up an extra free agent, as clubs start to thin out their rosters...it's amazing what some clubs will throw away.
Curry's specialty is that he can elevate. He still has some speed. His downside is a problem catching it and securing it before hitting the gas. It's the same problem James Jett had back in the day.
Our one weapon, that's not so secret this year, is going to be Zach Miller at tight end. I won't hide it, but the kid has the tools, and reminds me a lot of Dave Casper. He has the knack of serving his purpose well...when the WRs are tied up, hit him over the middle. He's a money player. I'd pick him up.
As far as the offensive line goes, it's amazing what can happen in a year.
In the year known as Art's smokeout, the Raiders line was at the strength of, oh, Kleenex. We gave up a ton of sacks (72). This was between two quarterbacks, Walter and Brooks. They also threw 7 TDs, and 24 INTs, among four different quarterbacks (Curry tried two passes, with one picked off).
Last year, the Raiders had 17 TDs...10 more than the previous year.
They only allowed 41 sacks, a difference of 31 fewer sacks.
And Interceptions? 20...that's four less.
Now, some of this can't be blamed or thanks given to the line, but a few things can be.
In the pocket, there's a major difference between having two seconds to find a target, and having four or five seconds.
If you hike the ball, and take two steps back to find a facemask coming at you, you're in trouble. If you have time to look over two receivers, and then throw to an open one, you're less likely to throw a pick or to have to throw it away.
The same holds true for the running game. If you have two seconds to hand the ball off, the running game is going to be lousy. The 2006 Raiders had 659 yards for a rushing leader...and scored one TD on the ground.
Last year, the same running back broke 1,000 yards, starting only seven games.
Probably the biggest difference on the offensive line was the coach.
Tom Cable has had a talent for building running teams. In Atlanta, he did his job well.
And now, his product took Oakland from dead last in rushing, to sixth overall, in one year.
Can you bet he's excited to work with McFadden?
The last points to look at for the offense would be the kicking squad. Janikowski has been known to be a bellwether for the Raiders in the last few years. If the team is doing well, he's been known to kick out of his mind.
When things get shaky, sometimes, he'll hurry, and that's never a good thing.
I'm looking forward to seeing him try something creative this year.
Maybe knocking off Denver on the road would be a good cure to his ailment.
Next week, we'll look at the defensive side of the ball, and how it all holds up.
Comments (6) Add a comment »
from 5 days ago
Good work, but I still have one question on the offensive side of the ball. Javon Walker is an huge injury risk and Drew Carter is not a real #2 option in the NFL. Unless the still unproven (that may change soon but I'm not sure it will) Jamarcus Russel can make these guys look really, really good, the passing game won't be able to do much (I just don't see Walker staying healthy for a whole season).
I know Zach Miller is quite promising and Drew Carter is decent (and an injury risk might I add dating back to his days in college and in '04) but they don't have the weapons (unless by some miracle Walker rebounds and stays healthy) to keep teams honest, eventually teams will be able to routinely line up with 8, sometimes even 9 in the box, and I don't care who you have at RB, nobody's making a play under those conditions. I'm also somewhat unsure of the fact that Curry or Higgins are starter material but that may just be because I don't follow the Raiders. All in all, good read.
Peace,
Max
from 5 days ago
Max, understandable about the WR situation. Obviously, Curry goes in as number on, Walker goes second, Higgins 3rd, Carter 4th if needed.
In event of injury, Walker's the one that has the look of glass to me, but i'm going to give him the half full glass approach. Besides, I'd imagine the Raiders won't try to turn him loose until that first game, against the Broncos. However, if he does falter, the shift occurs, and we could see either Arman Shields, or even Chaz Shilens fill in.
The other wild card option, when it comes to recievers, is the RB. Catching the ball on the fly, was a hallmark of Charlie Garner, and I know Fargas has that ability to catch and run when needed. McFadden was decent on this ability, Bush might fill this in too.
And don't forget, if all else fails, Oren O'Neal, the Fullback is there to keep the pocket open, could go as an option too....all depends on who's needed.
As mentioned also, don't count Al out as finding an extra player, once the teams start cutting players. Some clubs have too many RB....some have too many WR.
from 4 days ago
I get what you say about RBs as receivers, I had the privelage of watching one of the best receiving RBs the league has to offer on a weekly basis in Kevin Faulk. Laurence Maroney's ability to run with a screen pass was not half bad either.
However, when Faulk and Maroney became the Patriots' only consistent options in the passing game during SB XLII, NE's passing game was feeble and punchless. Then again, Russel won't have a 300lb D-lineman in his face every play like Brady did. My real point here is to say that unless you have a real stud like Roger Craig catching balls out of the backfield (or LT every few games or so) the running back generally accounts for not much more than a 3rd or 4th option in a team's passing game.
Also, if Russell were confined to go to his RBs, the team would not be able to take advantage of his greatest strength, his strong arm. Walker is made of glass like you say, Carter has never had more than 38 catches, and Higgins is largely unproven. Curry was pretty good last year but 22 of his 55 catches came in 3 games, which would seem to indicate either that he is quite inconsistent, or that teams blanketed him most of the time. Then again, if Walker doesn't get injured, he may just be the bonafide #1 that Oakland hasn't had in recent years. Should be an interesting year next season, can't wait till october
Peace,
Max
from 4 days ago
Understandable, Max.
The aspect that always had me scratching my head, was when the Raiders had Marcus Allen, and then added in Bo Jackson. For a time, it worked, Bo would do fullback duty, and then they moved Marcus down to goal-line duty, it was hard to understand.
I also heard, that about the time the USFL broke up, the Raiders were going to draft Herschel Walker, for added depth.....don't get me wrong....but isnt' that a little borderline overkill?
Some teams have worked good, as a single back. Barry Sanders, for example, would get the, Lion's share of carries, but you'd also have WRs to take the heat off. I'm thinking that McFadden is going to help be that extra set of hands, and you're going to see an set up play, like this:
QB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 2 Runningback Set.
QB, 3 WR, 2 Running Back Set.
The big thing, that will help with this offense, is you get 4 depths to throw to.....5 yards, 15 yards, 30 yards, or 60 yards. And that's just on the passing game.
from 5 days ago
I read a newspaper thing today, it looks like the Raiders' rookies are doing pretty well.
If it was up to me, I'd put shields as a starter. He sounds amazing! Also, a CB from Connecticut at Safty/ kick returner. This could be a great year!
from 5 days ago
That Conn kid is lightning in a bottle. Thing that I see with him, that's going to help, is he's a good backup if we need to spell someone at CB for a couple plays, but as a kick returner, he could slide into Carr's old spot.
Did you catch the interviews on www.raiders.com? Sounds like camp is coming around, but they'd like to have Bush a little bit lighter than his college weight....i'm thinking, that might have been what held up his playing last year. Nothing's more risky, than trying to run on a mending leg, if you're not at proper weight.
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