Oakland Raiders Offensive Game Plan

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.