The Raiders Top Five Studs and Duds for 2009

Who impressed this season? Who didn't? It was a tale of two seasons for the Raiders.

The first half they were awful, the second half they showed some spark, thanks to Bruce Gradkowski. The Raiders have actually had their best season in seven years no matter the outcome of the final games.

Here's your Top Five Studs & Duds for 2009.

Dud: 5. Darren McFadden

McFadden didn't perform well when healthy this season. Before last week, his only quality performance was Opening Night vs. San Diego.

He goes down too easily and puts the ball on the ground too many times.

Stud: 5. Trevor Scott

He has six sacks this season in limited playing time, until he took over at linebacker for Ricky Brown. He's not big enough to be a full time defensive end, but on third down situations he was dynamite.

Dud: 4. Javon Walker

Javon Walker dressed for two games this season with the same result: no catches. This wasn't the total the Raiders were looking for when they signed him long-term last season. They restructured his deal, but he's been entirely useless this season.

Stud: 4. Tyvon Branch

He leads the team in tackles this season. He's held up quite nicely at strong safety. He's not a huge hitter, but he's a sure tackler.

Dud: 3. Richard Seymour

Other than the opening night loss vs. San Diego and the Week Six win vs. Philadelphia, he has been held sack-less all season. I'm not sure this Richard Seymour was the one he wanted for a first-round pick.

Stud: 3. Bruce Gradkowski

He provide a spark when he was called upon in relief for JaMarcus Russell. He led game-winning drives vs. Cincinnati and at Pittsburgh. He doesn't have the big arm, but he has a knack for making the big play. He may play in the season finale vs. Baltimore.

Dud: 2. Tom Cable

Early in the season, the Raiders played uninspired football. That maybe attributed to JaMarcus Russell.

But it's still the coach's job to prepare his team. It was clear that his team wasn't prepared when they got abused three weeks in a row (Denver, Houston, and New York Giants).

His team hasn't won after a win all season.

Stud: 2. Tom Cable

Well, now to the positives. The Raiders have beaten Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Denver this season. How many teams can say they did that?

He finally made the decision to bench JaMarcus Russell in Week 10 vs. the Chiefs.

He's had his team playing hard lately. That's great, even though they aren't fighting for anything.

Dud: 1. JaMarcus Russell

Russell was awful all season. He has two TD's (plus 1 vs. Denver) and nine Int. His accuracy was terrible. He provided no leadership while starting this season.

Once again his conditioning was an issue going into training camp this season. His team also gave up on him.

Stud: 1. Nnamdi Asomugha

He has been terrific all season. He is so feared, that opposing QB's don't bother throwing to the receiver he's covering (only 1 INT). He has successfully limited every big name receiver this season (the only exception was Brandon Marshall).