While the regular season does not begin until September, I thought with baseball our only sport of interest right now, we needed to inject a little NFL.
I don't plan on talking about Brett Favre, or Pacman Jones...at least not for a week or two. Right now, I am concerned with predicting, previewing, and otherwise prognosticating with the rest of the world about what I believe might happen in 2008.
Each week, now until the season begins (perhaps with Brett Favre's jersey retirement, or with it's return—Sorry I had to) I will alternate AFC and NFC each week.
Some writers like to predict, "Oh, this is an 8-8 team" and don't really even bother to look at the schedule. Then the team goes 5-11 and he's going, "What happened?"
Not this guy. I have no life apparently, so I actually mapped out every game to see how each team would do.
Denver Broncos (2007 Record 7-9)
Offense: The 2007 Denver Broncos' offense was just like any of Mike Shanahan's teams: establish that potent zone-running game, and work play action off of the that. The problem was for an offense ranking ninth in rushing and 13th in passing, Denver finished a disappointing 21st in points scored.
The Broncos simply failed to punch the ball in when they had opportunities. To make matters worse in 2008, the Broncos' big-play receiver, Javon Walker, will be wearing the silver and black. On the other hand, Brandon Marshall had a breakout season in 2007, proving that he can be a capable No. 1 receiver.
The Broncos also acquired quality backups behind him with Keary Colbert, Darrell Jackson, and Sammie Parker filling out the receiving corps. Brandon Stokely and, one of my favorite receivers in the draft, Eddie Royal are also in the mix.
Rookie OT Ryan Clady could also help out right away, protecting Cutler, as Clady was the premier pass blocker in this year's draft class.
With Jay Cutler's continued emergence as a quarterback, the biggest issue facing the Broncos is at the running-back position. We know Shanahan has a history of just putting anybody back there and finding a 1,000-yard rusher, but Selvin Young and Michael Pittman aren't exactly Terrell Davis and Mike Anderson. Rookie Ryan Torian from Arizona State has impressed so far in minicamp, but it's just that: minicamp. It will take some serious Shanahan running-back magic to improve the scoring totals of this offense.
Defense: The ineptitude of the Broncos rush defense last season cannot be understated. Denver finished 30th in rush defense and, despite having one of the best corner tandems in the league, finished 28th in points allowed.
The loss of starting safety Nick Ferguson and linebacker Ian Gold meant the Broncos were in trouble heading into the draft and free agency. The Broncos added three safeties in the offseason to supplement their outstanding corner duo, including former Chargers starter Marlon McCree and the freakishly athletic rookie Josh Barrett from Arizona State.
Otherwise, this defense has not improved significantly after failing to acquire Shaun Rogers or Corey Williams to bolster their front line.The Broncos did trade for former top-five pick DeWayne Robertson from the Jets, but he has never proven to be anything but an average tackle inside. Former Lion Boss Bailey was brought in presumably to fill in for Ian Gold, but Bailey is a career underachiever as well.
Jim Bates and Bob Slowick are both excellent defensive coaches, but this defense possesses little to no toughness inside, and with the exception of Bailey and Bly on the outside, the defensive backfield has question marks.
Outlook: The schedule includes playoff teams for four of the first seven weeks, plus a visit from the Saints in Week Three. Things get much easier in the second half, but an 8-8 season looks most likely for the Broncos in a vicious AFC.
San Diego Chargers (2007 Record 11-5)
Offense: Even though Phillip Rivers appeared to have regressed in 2007, LaDanian Tomlinson is the best player in the NFL, and he took the Chargers all the way to the AFC Championship game.Unfortunately for San Diego, they lost FB Lorenzo Neal and backup RB Michael Turner this offseason from a rushing attack that ranked seventh in the league in 2007.
Adding H-back Jacob Hester and UTEP running back Marcus Thomas in the draft can fill the spots of the departed Turner and Neal, but as rookies, how productive can they can be on a team ready to compete right now?
For a passing game that ranked a paltry 26th in the NFL last season, a full season of Chris Chambers and a healthy Antonio Gates should certainly help. Vincent Jackson also came on strong late in the year, showing the potential to be an excellent possession complement to Chambers.
Gates is a monster occupying the middle of the field and the seam, so expect Jackson to be even more productive this season.
Ultimately though, the offense is predicated on Rivers taking care of the ball. In his first season at the helm, Rivers made it easy to forget the jettisoned Drew Brees was having an MVP type season in New Orleans. Last year, people wondered if the Chargers had made the right choice. The former N.C. State QB has all the skills, and now has two AFC Championship games under his belt. Luckily for Rivers, he still has the best offensive weapon in football behind him in the backfield.
Defense: Corner Antonio Cromartie has rewarded the Chargers for taking a risk on him when they drafted him in 2006, coming off major knee surgery. That is an understatement. Cromartie lead the league in picks last year and has quickly become one of the elite talents at the corner position, with outstanding hands to go with a long frame and quick feet.
Cromartie and Quentin Jammer create a corner tandem that can be matched in the AFC only by their rivals in Denver. Gone are CB Drayton Florence and S Marlon McCree. However, Eric Weddle played well late in the year making McCree expendable.
Antoine Cason was drafted in the first round out of Arizona to replace Florence, and he will give the Chargers another big, physical corner who will fit perfectly into that aggressive, dominating Chargers D.
With all of the young quarterbacks in the AFC West, expect the Chargers' defense to continue their streak of terrorizing quarterbacks.
Outlook: NFL fans will be happy to know both New England and Indianapolis are on the schedule against the Chargers. San Diego fans will be happy to know both games will be in Qualcom Stadium. If Phillip Rivers plays closer to the 2006 version in 2008, the Chargers could go 13-3 and lock up the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Kansas City Chiefs (2007 Record 4-12)
Offense: Questions about Larry Johnson's ability to recover from the pounding he took in 2006 were answered: He can't do it.
Head coach Herm Edwards overworked Johnson, and as a result, the running game was not as effective in 2007. With an offseason of recovery, and the talented Texas rookie Jamaal Charles to spell L.J., the Chiefs backfield looks solidified.
Throw in rookie G/T Brandon Albert and Kansas City looks prepared to once against utilize the kind of rugged running game that has been their M.O. seemingly forever.
The biggest question marks remains at quarterback. Last year we saw both Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle, and neither looked particularly good. There was some speculation that the Chiefs highly coveted Matt Ryan, but the Falcons ended any thoughts of that when they took him two spots earlier.
Whoever is behind center will have a star in the making with Dwayne Bowe, plus an underrated rookie, the speedy William Franklin out of Missouri. Tony Gonzalez is still Tony Gonzalez, and this offense should be back on track if they can make a decision on a QB.
Defense: Defensively, the Chiefs' reputation precedes it. Actually, the unit isn't that bad, finishing in the top 15 in points, passing, and total yards. That is the good news.The bad news is the Chiefs couldn't stop the run, finishing 28th last season in a division predicated on pounding the ball. Enter Glenn Dorsey. Arguably the top prospect in the draft, but certainly the best defensive prospect if healthy. He is an immediate impact player along the defensive interior, in the Warren Sapp mold.
Virginia Tech CB Brandon Flowers could be asked to fill Ty Law's corner spot, and Flowers should be more than capable against a relatively weak crop of receivers in the West.
K.C. also brought in Atlanta's LB DeMarrio Williams to inject some youth and athleticism in their linebacking group that already features the talented Derrick Johnson.
The Chiefs' defense was highly underrated last season, particularly against the pass, finishing fifth in passing yards. Flowers and rookie S DaJuan Morgan should add toughness to a poor tackling defensive backfield.
Losing Jared Allen is a major blow, but the Chiefs are building around their young talent, and with Hali and Dorsey upfront, the defensive line will be solid this season.
Outlook: Despite being one of the winners from the draft, too many questions remain at QB. Limited options at receiver only compound that issue. A poor tackling defense has gotten better, but it will certainly not be enough to compete for the division or the playoffs.
Add in an unbelievably tough schedule, and the Chiefs will be lucky to escape 2008 with 5-11 record. But Chiefs fans, your team will be in a ton of close games and appears headed in the right direction.
Oakland Raiders (2007 Record 4-12)
Offense: This is JaMarcus Russell's team now, but if you look at the Raiders' stable of running backs, you may get the feeling that Lane Kiffin and Al Davis don't believe that Russell is quite ready to carry this offense. Adding Arkansas rookie Darren McFadden was a flashy pick, and perhaps a genius one.
If McFadden is anything close to what he was in the SEC, the Raiders will have made the right choice. Anything less, and the Raiders will have screwed it up again.
The Raiders offensive line remains spotty, despite the addition of Kwame Harris. Where will the carries go? Justin Fargas was paid like "the guy", but McFadden, LaMont Jordan, and Michael Bush are all fully capable.
The Raiders have a gazillion backs, all of whom will want the ball. That is a situation worth keeping an eye; seeing if Lane Kiffin can keep all his rushers happy. If not, the Raiders could have very real problems.
In the passing game, adding Javon Walker and Drew Carter on the outside to help Russell was key. Javon Walker can spread a defense, assuming his knees are ok and he stays away from Vegas whenever possible. Russell has a huge arm and will love throwing deep to Curry and Walker, particularly off play-action with those aforementioned running backs.
Raider fans will tell you that Russell and McFadden make this team extremely dangerous in a weak AFC West, but McFadden hasn't played a down in the NFL and Russell essentially remains a rookie.They may be dynamic eventually, but it is doubtful this offense will be significantly better in 2008.
Defense: The key for the Raiders' defense this offseason was keeping their best corner Nnamdi Asomugha. Behind him, the Raiders' defensive backfield is very young and potentially vulnerable. That is part of the reason they brought in Giants' safety Gibril Wilson to play next to Michael Huff, an improving former Texas DB with tremendous talent.
A controversial trade, and subsequent fatty contract, for DeAngelo Hall turned some heads, but also vastly improved this secondary. Speedy rookie Tyvon Branch will help supplement Asomugha/Hall and give the Raiders an above-average defensive backfield.
However, losing DT Tyler Brayton and DE Chris Clemons to free agency hurts up front. They brought in Kalimba Edwards to replace Clemons as a pass rusher.
The offseason saw plenty of spending, but no true impact player on defense from a unit that finished 31st against the run and 26th in points. This looks a lot like the Denver team from last year, only with an even less experienced QB, an inexperienced coach, no proven No. 1 receiver, and an inferior secondary.
Oh, and that Broncos team went 7-9.
Barring an unforeseen improvement by the personnel already in Oakland, there are simply too many solid rushing teams in the division, and the conference, for the Raiders to have a realistic chance at a playoff berth.
Outlook: I keep hearing that suddenly the Raiders are a playoff team. Not only is that ridiculous, but barring a slew of injuries in the division, a .500 record seems out of reach with a defense that can't stop the run and an offense without cohesion or identity.
The schedule is tough once again, with trips to New Orleans, Buffalo, and Tampa, plus some of the toughest home fields in football reside in the West. Unless Russell turns the corner as a QB from Week One (highly unlikely), or McFadden pulls an Adrian Peterson (slightly more likely), the Raiders could be headed to another 4-12 season.
(I fully expect to hear about this from all you excited members of Raider Nation)
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2 months ago
Raiders have an inferior secondary? I guess by inferior, you mean one of the best in the NFL. By the way, Fabian Washington was traded to the Ravens a long time ago. Your crystal ball is cracked.
2 months ago
l like what he wrote about the Chargers and l think that they have the potential to win the Super Bowl if Phillip Rivers remains consistent and we stay healthy and don't break down towards the end of the year. Also l really have a problem seeing anybody giving us trouble in our division and outside of New England or Indanapolis we have the potential to run the table...but thats what l thought last year.
from 2 months ago
With Norv Turner as your head coach, GET REAL! LOL,,,
2 months ago
Too many great running backs a problem???? Any team would like to have that "problem". The D-Backfield is potentially vulnarable? You should read your own words again. The players you named are potential pro-bowlers which makes Oaklands D-backfield very deep and very talented.
2 months ago
Raiders and their sub-coherent fans ALWAYS talk big before the season. I, unlike them, can remember 4-12 last year, 2-14 in 2006, 4-12 in 2005, 5-11 in 2004, and 4-12 in 2003. JUST WIN BABY!!! HA HA HA
from 2 months ago
How could we forget? We haven't forgotten. Thats the thing. We win, We love OUR team. We lose and will still love OUR team. Thats why were a "nation" and your a member of a fanbase. If your not a raider fan, you'll probably never understand this. Back to my point, "raider nation" is fully aware of our current position in the win-loss rankings over the past 5 years. We hear about it all the time, the thing is if your a fan of a team without a superbowl championship or any championships at all. Please refrain from hating on our "nation". So mainly if your a charger fan, please don't post again till you win something meaningful. seriously, im tired of hearing you guys talk all year and then choking on a big one in the end. GO HARD OR GO HOME!!!! SILVER AND BLACK, RAIDER NATION TILL WE DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 months ago
Well Fabian Washington has been traded, and the average number of years played by their DB's is about four so they are not exactly rookies but I am not here to slam your piece because I agree with the rest of what you say. I've been amazed at the number of people who claim the Raiders are ready to make a huge leap. A rookie quarterback and a draft choice of a rookie running back, nothing on the defensive line or the offensive line, a team that has zero capability of stopping the run. The reason that the Raiders are doomed is that they are always addressing needs that they don't have. I watched dumbfounded as a team which was last against the run drafts a running back, signs a wide receiver, and trades for a cornerback. Its stupidity. Four tailbacks? This isn't college with an 80 man roster. What if no team takes Jordan and his contract? And what kind of sense does it make to spend a trillion dollars on Russell and then line him up behind the 25th best offensive line in the league, doing nothing about it, but like I said going for that much needed cornerback. This is Al Davis. He likes the cut of DeAndre Hall's jib so he instructed Kiffin to find a place for him. Does anyone think Kiffin wanted that deal. Wouldn't he rather have spent money on an offensive tackle or chosen Dorsey with their pick? I'm sorry but they are 5-11 maybe 6-10 because their schedule is so weak. And I've been a Raider fan for 20 years.
from 2 months ago
I like Warren Sapp, he produced, but he was mostly playing the QB. If the Raiders learn to stop the run, it will be by playing the ball and attacking the ball no matter who holds it.
Al always give his coach potential players, even if resemble that impossible 2000 piece puzzle you hate.
from 2 months ago
Rick who is DeAndre Hall??? - remember that the Raiders gave Tommy Kelly a big contract 50+ million dollars....Kelly in his 2nd and 3rd season in the NFL - he was top 5 and top 8 in the League for Tackles made by a D-Lineman. So if the Raiders Drafted Dorsey, who played the #3 position...the same as Kelly - that means the team would have invested over 100+ million dollars in one position...is that smart??
My assessment: Raiders (7-9)
QB - Russell has weapons to use and with a training camp, preseason warm up games, and more knowledge - we will be better than he played last year.
RB - Bush, D-Mac, and Fargus - that is a good 3 headed RB core.
FB - Griffith - Pro-Bowl snub last year
WR - Walker, Carter, Curry - not the big name recievers - but with speed and good hands
TE - Zach should double his stats from last year
The O-line is not that bad - look at Gallery and Cooper Carlisle only allowed 2 sacks.
The main problem was the Tackles....and with Harris learning the Zone Blocking scheme by Cable - who knows what he will do. New Center in Wade...so the O-line is not at bad as the sports media makes it sound like.
D-line with Richardson and Burgess, and with Kelly and Warren as the tackles with Joseph and Sands...the D-Line is ok and the needs were met.
LB core - Solid - Morrision and Howard are 2 young fast LB that can sniff out the ball on the ground or in the air.
Seondary = Blanket with Aso, Hall, Wilson, and Huff
Rick, you may be a Raider Fan for 20+ years - but knowledge of playing the game of football and player management is what I question.
This is a Young Raider team - and will only get better as time goes on. May miss the playoffs this year - but if Coach Kiffin gets the train rolling - this team will be in the playoffs soon.
from 2 months ago
Please stop calling yourself a Raider fan you're making us real Raider fans look bad! If you're going to speak about the Raiders the least you could do is actually read up on them a little. Please just find another team.
from 2 months ago
Here it is. I left another comment but it got placed on the bottom of the page, and I want to make sure you posers get this. Being a "fan" is not all about blind loyalty. I've been there. In the 90's I was always the one making the same kinds of arguments you guys are so I'm not really ruffled by any of this. I've had a long time to watch the Raiders and I know the organization better than you guys even if you can name a couple of the linebackers. I refer to the losing mentality in my other comment so I'll leave that alone here. Let's talk personell. You actually think the worst, yes I repeat worst team against the run really addressed that disaster by signing a couple of third tier free agents? Hey Kev, if Morrison and Howard are such studs why was the run defense so piss poor last year? You all are going to sit there and tell me that the worst team in the NFL against the run made a vast improvement by signing some guy named William Joseph? Get this through your heads. They were 31st against the run. I'm sure good old William will play hard but unless he is actually the ghost of John Matuszak then I don't think he's going to make much difference. There, I've read up on the irrelevant names on the roster, are you happy now? It took about five minutes. But nothing has changed. Hey "Prophet" whatever that means, I've forgotten more about this organization than you will ever actually know. So you leave first. If we were in a sports bar and I was tanked up you'd be in the bathroom trying to stop the bleeding.
2 months ago
well I think you got the Chiefs right at least unlike a lot of other writers on BR.
2 months ago
What world do you live in? Oakland has the THIRD EASIEST schedule in the NFL this year.
2 months ago
Another 4-12 season? I don't think I can take it. Now I'm not going to say we're going to make the playoffs, but I think this is the year we climb outta the cellar and at least make sea level and go 8-8. Russell may basically be a rook, but I still think he's an upgrade to what we had lined up behind center last year.
While our offensive and defensive lines may not have seen much improvement on paper, I don't think we've gotten any worse either. Our biggest loss is Sapp and while I think he's proven himself as one of the best ever at his posistion, I don't think he's the same player anymore. We'll miss his leadership more than anything.
We were on the losing end of some close games last year and I think with the consistency at QB and the 3 headed backfield of Crash, Smash, and Dash (Fargas, Bush, McFadden) we can actually tip a few in our favor this year.
Anyway win or lose I'm ready for some damn football!!! Enough talk.
2 months ago
For not having a life you should do a little more research. Now all of you blogs are proven questionable. The raiders won 4 games last year and lost at least 3 more in the last few minutes without McFadden, Hall, or Wilson. How can you say they will have the same record with a weaker scheldual. You need to work harder on you predictions if you want to look educated on the NFL and not just another guy with a keyboard and some extra time.
from 2 months ago
Hey, what do you expect from a guy whose favorite team is the Packers? That means he not only is trying to report on teams out of his division of knowledge, but out of the conference too! So, I don't expect him to know much about the real AFCW. This is confirmed by the fact he thought the Raiders had a tough schedule this season, he called one of the top defensive backfields in the NFL inferior (he probably thinks the Raiders haven't recovered from losing MeWood), and he doesn't understand the Raiders QB and RB situations. In other words, he missed the boat on the Raiders and knew it so he stated he was expecting to hear from the Raider fans. Afterall, if I did a preview of the NFCN and said the Vikes will be great with Peterson, the Bears will be back on the rise, the Lions will remain static, and the Pack will fall without Favrah. And then posted these records for 2008: Vikes (11-5), Bears (8-8), Lions (6-10) and Packers (3-13). Wouldn't you understand why I would say I expect to hear from the Packer fans on my prediction? Well, the same thing applies here. As for the Raiders, look for them to realistically finish somewhere around 7-9 this season, but showing much improvement with promise for making the playoffs next year.
2 months ago
Another writer ignoring the fact that the Raiders were 4-12 last year, with a rookie Head Coach and some holes on their roster. However, they finished 6th in the NFL in rushing, and have an improved Offensive line this year. And last year, they lost some really close games. With a couple of breaks, they could have easily been at least 6-10. And now, they are better at WR, better at RB, better on the OL, better in the secondary, and Jamarcus will not be any worse than last year's two headed monster at QB. Jamarcus may be young, but his skill set is extraordinary. Another 4-12? Hardly, especially with a much better schedule this year. The writer of this article seems uninformed about many facts. I see the Raiders at 7-9 or better, and, like the Chiefs, certainly heading in the right direction. No one wants to give Davis and the Raiders any kudos for some nice off season additions. The writer should expect feedback from Raider Nation. He was just very shortsighted on so many issues.
from 2 months ago
Good review Joe! You should look into taking Peter Bukowski's job as a columnist here. You at least seem to be more informed.
2 months ago
every team in the league wants the raiders on their schedule because it is a gimme.come on raider fans ,you guys have been the worst team for 5 YEARS.lame duck coach.BAD drafting owner.below average roster.5-11 if everything goes your way
2 months ago
Rick, Rick, Rick, do you want to go read the article listed on http://www.raidernews.com/x titled, "Is Raider Nation a bandwagon?".
You actually sound worse than the writer of this article, by worse I mean less educated. As a Raider fan it is imperative to be knowledgeable about your team first and then the rest of the nfl second.
I pity the fan that actually spends time replying to blogs/articles/comments to say "Whah". Get a clue and get online to research everything about your team. It's my favorite team in professional sports so that means I represent, and just yesterday was speaking out about numbers on my next jersey. If you don't know who 25, 21, or 89 is on the team you can just jump off the bandwagon now. Don't break your ankles on your way DOWN. But seriously, you sound like a whiner fan.
Kiffin - never in the NFL prior to 2007, did pretty good for a newbie, no cherry popped loudly...
Cable - never in the AFC West, new defensive schemes and opposing players to learn, done...
Ryan - now has a safety tandem, DE's to play the run and pass, CB tandem, LB's w/exp., etc..
Rest of Staff - you have got to be kidding about not doing anything about the OL/DL right?
Players with 2 years in the new Offensive scheme will start to hit a stride in 2008.
Instead of repression think of aggression. This team is hungry, all players have attended
voluntary workouts, OTA's, offseason conditioning and rehabbing in Alameda. Oh yeah,
do you know the team is actually located not in Oakland? Represent better in the future.
I could care less about the writers views but a fan of football must be involved deeply.
"Go psychotherapy"
PJ
2 months ago
Ok first would all writer quit saying Jordan is one of our backs. He has been asked NOT to participate in OTA's, and likely will be released prior to camp. If not he will be asked to stay away from camp.
Second behind Aso is Huff yes young, but he did shut down the TE's in the passing game. Wilson (Over his pro career, Wilson has averaged more total tackles per game (6.9) than any other NFL safety) brought in from a Superbowl winning team potential probowler WAY better than Stu. But I guess that doesn't count for at least helping to stop the run. Oh yeah and it's Rout (at nickle) not Washington (who was traded to the Ravens). WTF is hurting us about losing Brayton? I can maybe see clemons, but he doesn't stop the RUN. We aren't hurting against the PASS! Now you said no true impact player on Defense? I guess Hall and Wilson are chopped liver! Ok Ok I'm not saying the Raiders are going to have a better record, but puhleeez have better facts to support your Hatred of DA RAIDUHS!!!
2 months ago
All I see over and over again is people pointing out that the Raiders have had the worst record in football for the last 5 years....only 19 wins in 5 years....etc, etc, etc.
Do any of you people realize that just about EVERY team in the NFL has had a 5 year slump equal to or worse than this one? This is the first time it has happened to the Raiders. The Saints have had SEVEN 5-year periods in which they won 19 games or less. There are teams who have only won 14 or 15 games in a 5-year span.
The Raiders had the best winning percentage in all of football for many, many years. When the winningest teams have to pick last in the draft, it is very hard to stay on top. The Patriots are one of the teams who has had a 5 year period with 19 wins or less. The Chargers were a laughing stock just a few years ago. How soon we forget.
Even WITH only 19 wins in the last 5 years, the Raiders still have a better all-time won/loss percentage than 32 of the 34 teams. They are 3rd in the league all time!
from 2 months ago
That's like saying your wife USED to be hot. Who cares what any team did 25 years ago when you're discussing the upcoming season.
Get a grip Raider fans...your team is and has been horrible the last 5 years. This year will be no different - no miracle in the ghetto is going to happen. Maybe when Al Davis dies your team might be good again, but until then keep pounding the OE, chasing big booty women & telling the world how great your 4-12 team really is.
2 months ago
the only thing i got to say to all of you kc,sd,den fan. there are 3 championships games a season. the raiders are the only team in the afc west in the past 6 years to win one of them.
2 months ago
The Fabian Washington thing was in inexcusable mistake on my part. I pride myself on getting things like that right, and the article has been corrected as such.
The rest of you Raider fans, if you can tell me which 8 games your team will win let me know because I got KC, Jets, Atlanta and Miami as W's and that is it.
For the losses I have on the road AT KC, New Orleans, San Diego, Denver, Tampa, Buffalo, and Baltimore
That is a pretty serious road schedule, you don't think Ray Lewis is just waiting to get his hands on Russell?
Then losses at home to an underrated Carolina team, plus San Diego, Denver, New England, and Houston.
As you might notice, every team on the list of potential losers has a stellar run game with the possible exception of New England, but that doesn't even matter with Tom Brady.
Ok, so maybe you'll beat Denver at home or Houston, but 8 wins? The "stats" say easiest because of record and playoffs, but open your eyes folks. I said it before and I'll say it again 6 wins is the ceiling for this team and you Raider fans should be happy about that. 9 of last year's 12 losses were by 7 points or more including some absolutely pathetic games late in the season (see Jacksonville 49 Oakland 11 or Green Bay 38 Oakland 7) Talent means nothing until you prove you can win which the Raiders absolutely have not. 8-8 is a delusion.
from 2 months ago
Ok, a Packer's fan know's exactly how well our Raiders team will do by how? Have you kept up with our team? Unlikely. We will see which team does a better turn around this year. We have only upside while your team can only sustain or get worse. Good luck with the Favre situation there.
from 2 months ago
Here are the seven games I see the Raiders winning this year:
Denver (H), KC (H), KC (A), Jets, Baltimore, Atlanta, and Miami.
Of course, you must remember the Raiders nearly swept the Broncos last season, and only lost to Minnesota and Indianapolis by 7 points. So, even if I missed a game or two in my list of seven, they will probably pick up an unexpected win or two in exchange. Also, if I was you I'd worry more about how the Packers are going to perform without Favrah. Do you think they'll win more than 3 games this year? I see them beating Atlanta, Detroit (H), and maybe Houston.
from 2 months ago
at new orleans. have hey gotten defense recently? i honestly dont know, that one may be pretty tough.
AT KC, thats exactly where we beat them last year... so why would we lose this year when we upgraded across the roster?
san diego will be hard but if we reduce turnovers and stop the run (we did last game of the season) we have a better chance than people think. hell we almost beat them in 2006 but that bs "illegal forward pass" ruling killed it.
denver? if theyre out of TOs in the first game we sweep them last year. and we manhandled them at home. and they downgraded everywhere. what the hells ur reasoing behind this one?
new england are douchebags. only chance we have against them is if their defense gets really old really fast and our defense makes it a personal mission to hurt randy moss.
houston weve almost beat last year too. again, weve improved dramatically everywhere this offseason. we should be able to beat them.
tampa is a shell of its old self, specifically the defense. and as far as i know they have weak WRs. that would make their offense one dimensional and you cant win by only running the ball even against our run d. and its the last game. if were playing for an unexpected playoff spot, i think we can pull it off.
buffalo we play in the first four weeks and most likely marshawn lynch wont be there (see his hit and run accient and probable suspension). and who else do they have? sorry but i dont think trent edwards is going to intimidate our secondary.
baltimore: see tampa. minus QB. our defense has a habit of making inexperienced QBs look really bad (see matt leinert in 06 and 07 preseason, brodie croyle in game vs oak in KC last year, etc).
and carolina. theyre underrated. so are we.
2 months ago
I could'nt take this blogger serious after he said Fabian was our nickelback. Writers research bloggers give their opinoins. This blogger says he mapped out every game, BS he could'nt even map out a roster.
from 2 months ago
I don't like to fight other people's battles usually, but anon. commenters like you don't do your homework before you open your trap. Read his other articles and you will see the amount of work he puts into each one. The fact that he's a Packer fan he went this in depth on an article on four teams he probably doesn't have any rooting interest in shows a lot of skill and devotion. So you if think he's full of crap write your own preview and show him differently.
2 months ago
I think the Raiders are going to get 6 wins but the rest of your predictions I agree with, now on to Macfadden I think this is anther R.Bush over hype over paid player S think this was a wasted draft picked by Davis. so good luck Raider fan you prob will have anther top 10 pick again next year
2 months ago
i dont know how the hell u say the raiders are going to go 4-12 and you give the donkeys 7-9 record. they have a better corner tandem then us? when the hell did dre bly, become an elite corner! we got better for the up coming season and the broncos regressed. do u not remember that we should have swept them last year if it were not for shannarats timeout and last year our oline was in a new system, we had four different qbs, and a new coach. u are really a idiot.
2 months ago
"The schedule is tough once again"?! No, actually he Raiders have the easiest schedule in the entire league; they play a lot of losing teams and very few good ones. While I don't see the Raiders doing anything significant, most people's optimism comes from the fact they will be playing a lot of bad teams. That may not make for a 12-4 year, but 8-8 or 9-7 is possible if things break their way. I'd probably bet on 7-9 or 6-10.
2 months ago
Other ridiculous comments and untrue statements proving you know NOTHING about the Raiders or football.....
Fargas is being paid like "the guy"
SD & Den have the best cb tandems in the league.
The Raiders have a difficult schedule
Spending $150M and picking the best rb in college shows you don't have faith in your QB
Curry is a deep threat
Stick to your team Petey because you really our clueless about the Raiders.
Rick please go find another team you are even more ignorrant then Petey.
2 months ago
Are you freakin' nuts? 11-5 for the Chargers? What 5 teams will even score on the Chargers? You gotta put down the crack pipe dude! And there's no way Oakland wins 4 games...they suck!
2 months ago
You expected to hear from us Raider fans because you know you know you are full of it with your "prediction." It looked more like a view from a Donk fan, since you listed them first, praised things about them that is average, and predicted them to improve to 8-8, when in fact they are getting worse.
Meanwhile, the Raiders are improving and you stuck them with the same record as last season. Sorry, but it isn't going to happen like you want, no matter how badly you wish for the Raiders to stay in the cellar.
2 months ago
Yeah, you guys are right. What do I know? By the way it was DeAndre Hall, gee what a major mistake. Like you didn't know who I was talking about. I've only just watched this organization flounder under Davis' rule since some of you were still crapping yourselves. It's the nature of the beast boys. When you hit your mid thirties and you have to meet an office payroll, pay two mortgages and have a little less time to follow the irrelevant minor deals that get done on a yearly basis in the NFL, maybe you'll understand. I'll put my knowledge of the Raiders and what their problems are against any of you. Oh, and I played two seasons at Cal State Northridge as well. If you think that being able to rattle off a few journeyman deals that were done during the off season is proof of your football knowledge think again. I can't believe I'm actually conversing with a group of people who think the Raiders have made all the right moves! What planet are you living on? So you memorize the number on the back of the jersey? My compliments. I want to see who is back on this board to argue with me on Nov. 1. I can guarantee you that they will have no more than two wins at that point. Take it to the bank. The problems are organizational and they run much deeper than the players. All you have to do is look at the comments of former players to "get" that. That's what you guys are missing. This is not about getting better players or filling needs. That is an organization that has a losing mentality now and that is tough to shake regardless of who is playing quarterback. Just ask Cleveland.
from 2 months ago
You'll get no argument from me; what do you know?
Nobody here is saying the Raiders have made all the right moves, but we are saying that haven't made nothing but bad moves either like you are. The Raiders have become like every other NFL team, get used to it, because they've all caught up to Al's way of doing things, and some have passed Al by along the way. All I can say is this is what you get in a cyclic NFL with salary-cap and slotted drafting. There will be good times, and there will be bad times.
As for you watching this organization. Apparently, I've been watching them since you were crapping yourself, since I've been watching them since the mid-late 1960's. That must be the difference between those of us that appreciate Al Davis, and those that see him as just another owner.
from 2 months ago
Cerberus,
I agree that they have not made "all the wrong moves". I think Russell has the potential to be a very good quarterback, but until we see him in a full season we really don't know. I am not a fountain of negativity. Instead of Hall I would have liked to have seen them go harder after a quality tackle. As of now after McQuistan it looks like they are relying on Cable to patch something together at left tackle. Henderson hasn’t had any NFL playing time and Harris was complete washout with the Niners. Instead of Hall I would have liked to have seen them make a run at Floyd Womack from Seattle. He was an UFA and that was a possibility. They could have at least made an offer. On defense, again, instead of a cornerback (how many cornerbacks has this team been through? Al Davis seems intent on finding the next Lester Hayes) how about going after Justin Smith from the Bengals? He was also an UFA. You see my point? Lately it is always about the flash with this team, and no substance. Like signing Randy Moss to a contract when we had no quarterback. I respect that you have also watched this team for a long time, and I hold a great affection for Davis and what he has meant to the NFL. I just think that the game has passed him by.
from 2 months ago
Actually DeAngelo Hall. I like DeAndre better.
2 months ago
I thought the article was great, except one thing. If you base the toughness of schedule on last years records, it's kinda hard to say the Raiders have a tough schedule. Do I have dillusions of grandure for my team in the bay, no, but I do feel we will have more wins than we have had in the last 5 years. I will be fair and say we should be 6-10 or 7-9.
2 months ago
Damn, I had to write a comment in order to see the other 41 comments. What is up with the software, or what am I missing?
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