Raiders' Potent Offense, Vulnerable Defense Recall High-Flying AFL Days

Sometimes repeated nature can be good for learning.

Oakland, which has been slowly building back after the 2006 crash, has been assembling pieces for a team. A draft pick here, a free agent there, sometimes a step back when things don't work right...it's all supposed to lead to progress.

For Oakland, it has seen the win total go from two to four to five, with differing opinions on the season. Some think the Raiders are heading for three wins, some to 8-8, or some a playoff berth.

One item that is worth looking at is how the offense will become the drive this team needs.

On the ground, it can't be stated enough that we are stacked with weapons. Michael Bush, Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas, or Louis Rankin—this is the type of offense to build around. Time-killing and steady, Oakland had the ball for over 30 minutes of game time against the Cowboys. Switching to an air attack for different reasons, the Raiders only held control for 21:16

If the point comes that the Raiders have the lead late, it's a simple rule...run out the clock.

In the passing lanes, it's a little more wide open due to Chaz Schilens' injury. As bad as it is, it's not the season-killing injury some would believe, but it forces everyone to step up in the passing game. JaMarcus Russell so far has 13 completions in 20 passes, averaging over 60 percent on his completions, one touchdown, and no interceptions.

His choices of targets range all over the field. Zach Miller or Brandon Myers, Louis Murphy or Johnnie Lee Higgins, or even Darrius Heyward-Bey when he gets into his groove, can catch. Even Javon Walker seems determined to contribute this year.

For all this offense, the glaring aspect comes from the defense.

Against the run, the Raiders have been unable to stop anyone. The 49ers, who used a number of different backs, had over 100 from Glen Coffee, almost 100 from Michael Robinson, and didn't have Frank Gore in but for two carries.

Another problem lies in the cornerbacks—not in who the starters are, but should Nnamdi Asomugha go down injured and Chris Johnson be unable to cover the slack, the team could run into trouble.

With this one team, you could see a high-scoring team and a team giving up a lot of points in the process.

For the historians, this sounds like the AFL days all over again.