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After a long wait and what seemed like an insufferably long preseason, the start of the ’09 NFL season is here. The eve of the season is always an exciting time for teams and their fans. Finally, there will be answers to the questions that have been percolating and building all offseason.
The Raiders and their Nation are no exception to this. While not many people carry the expectations of playoffs for this young squad, many are hoping for signs of improvement. Signs that this team is starting to get it, starting to form an identity and that some of its young players are ready to turn that talent into results.
What...what’s that you say?
This is Week 10? That wasn’t the preseason?
Well, crap...Did the Raiders know this? I could’ve sworn watching their games that this was the preseason.
Well, my patient readers, new and shocking information has come into light—it is now evident that the season has already begun. Not only has the season already begun, but apparently the Raiders are falling somewhere below the line of excellence to which they are famously committed.
Luckily for this article, the second paragraph still applies.
The playoffs are not a realistic hope for this 2-6 team, but signs of improvement are. At this point, for the few of us left in Raider Nation, signs of improvement seem deserved—a right that should be guaranteed after prolonged suffering.
Maybe it is the suffering that has created my delusional optimism, but I have actually led myself to conclude that that the answers we have received so far have been a product of extenuating circumstances and that the true answers are about to be revealed during the start of this new season.
That’s right—I am marking the bye week as the end of a season and this week as the start of a new one. For not only has the bye week fallen directly at the midpoint, but it also sees the return of four offensive starters—starters that have thus far had little or no playing time yet this season.
These players are returning to an offense that can use whatever boost it could get. Let’s take a look at the numbers for the first half of the season.
Um...on second thought, that is a horrible idea. That is just an exercise in depression.
Let me save whatever peace of mind and sobriety you have by saying all numbers point to this offense being bad. No, wait, not bad—really bad...Wait, that isn’t true either—they are historically, epically, sickeningly, Striesandly horrible.
Enough living in the past! This is the dawn of a new season, and we are all starving for some positive signs.
Let’s take a look at the players with the biggest question marks and what they could show fans to fill them with some sense of hope.
JaMarcus Russell
Coming into the season Russell was the player with the most eyes straining on him for answers. Russell has answered those questions as emphatically as anyone could.
However, they have been the wrong answers—like not even in the same ballpark answers, or “did you hear the question right?” answers, or “do you speak English?” answers. Remember kids; there are no stupid questions, only really bad quarterbacks who get asked them.
That being said, this is a fresh start and Russell has had enough question marks around him that this new season can be a chance at redemption—a retake of the test he failed horribly and forgot to study for.
For any hope in Russell’s future to be restored he needs to have a decent second half. A completion percentage above 55, around as many touchdowns as interceptions and fewer plays where he just looks like he has no clue what is going on. It would also help if there were more reports of him putting in extra time.
In Russell’s defense, it is possible that he is working with the worst receiving corps in the history of this league. His numbers throwing to players that are not wide receivers (72 for 119, 752 yards, 1 touchdown and 4interceptions) are decent.
The one receiver that seemed to be turning into a playmaker, dependable route-runner and catcher of the football is about to make his season debut...
Chaz Schilens
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