Something strange is going on in Napa. Something so un-Raider-like that a global watch has begun for other signs of what must be an impending apocalypse. What is it that has world leaders and the Raider Nation alike in a quandary?
It’s quiet.
There’s no discussion of hold outs. No real buzz about Lane Kiffin’s future (that will have to wait until Week 2). No 300-lb quarterbacks. Heck, the Raiders weren’t even seriously involved in the Brett Favre discussions!
In fact, aside from Javon Walker’s near retirement and two or three minor position battles, this camp has been devoid of any real controversy.
The question is: Will all this peace lead to a successful 2008 campaign? And while even the most hopeful fans realize the Silver and Black are still a year or two away from serious contention, there is some reason for optimism. Here now, the preseason roster breakdown.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Projected Starter: JaMarcus Russell
Depth: Andrew Walter, Marques Tuiasosopo
For the first time since Rich Gannon was screaming in the huddle, the Raiders have some certainty about the position heading into the regular season. Don’t mistake certainty for expectations, however.
The facts remain that Russell struggled learning the playbook last year and, much like Walter, is best suited to throw from the pocket. We’ve seen, early on in practice, that when he’s forced to move, his accuracy drops significantly.
Still, the fact remains that he’s a 6’6" monster with a cannon for a right arm and has serious potential. If the Raiders give him time to throw, and the running game works as planned, he may accelerate that learning curve.
12 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
FL Raider Girl 11 months ago
Really good article. I missed out on any talk of Special Teams though. Who do you think they are gonna use as their PR.
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Gil Becerra 11 months ago
Good article, good read, good points. Go Raiders! Watch Arman Shields at WR.....
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Detroit Sports Fan 11 months ago
Good job projecting starters, but i dont think raiders will do anything for several years
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Philip Fitch 11 months ago
Good artical Belzer, damn good.
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greg pitsch 11 months ago
It was a good read, but to let you know, they said in the scrimmage with the Niners as well as the training camps that Harris is looking more like a pass blocker than a run blocker, and that he has lost weight and gained some good footwork.
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Jason Belzer 11 months ago
Thanks for the good word guys. That's interesting about Harris because everything I've seen is about road grading and not pass protection! I'm anxious to watch tomorrow night. And Lori, you're right, I should have hit special teams...
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cory fair 11 months ago
Wow. Hey even thought you missed the special teams you hit just about every other aspect of this football team. Very thorough and actually educated points. Not opinions. This was a great read and I think you just got every die-hard twice as excited for a preseason game. I might be following you around for a little while. POTD
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Wallace 11 months ago
Great article with an objective view. I don't think we can fool ourselves into thinking our wideouts, defensive and offensive lines have no problems. You are correct with the "ifs" comments.
I have always wondered why we do not give Janikowski some competition. He is an average kicker. I think his only saving grace is he is able to kickoff into the endzone for touchbacks. However, his reliability as a clutch kicker from 40 years out is abysmal. I develop small ulcers every time he lines up for a field goal. Its time for us to really consider finding a kicker we can depend upon. I hope this Elling shows us something during the 49ers game. Janikowski doesn't even keep himself in good shape. I am fed up with him. I have no problems with Lechler.
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raiderman55 R8RDLW 11 months ago
Wallace, I would have to disagree with a couple of comments you made; Ronald Curry and Javon Walker are quality WR's and if you think about it most teams play a majority of the game with two WR sets (exception New England). Also the "O" line had a great year last year, dropping sack totals from 72 (Art Shell take 2) down to 40 and also ranking 5th in the NFL in Rushing?? We also had three different running back run for over 100 yards in a game (Fargas, Rhodes and Jordan). Not to mention this is year #2 with Tom Cable running the O line. On the D line minus Warren "mouth of the south" Sapp who only wanted to get sacks and not make tackles, will figure out that sacking the QB is DBuggess' job not their's. And then there is you abysmal 40 years kicker???? I seen Sebass in Vegas and he is sold, you may look at him on the field and think he's fat, but I can tell you first hand he's a big boy and making statements like"he doesn't even keep himself in good shape" is ridiculous. Also saying you don't have a problem with Lechler is just moronic; come on dude he's probably hands down the best punter in the game!!
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Biffzipp Chawanga 11 months ago
Chad Pennington????? You have to be fuggin kidding. I would rather have Todd Marinovich on the Raiders roster. Watch some football before you write an article - please.
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Bruce Milroy 11 months ago
Nice article Jason however the title should read "If". By my reckoning 30% of our players, especially the free agent acquisitions, have baggage (or at least questions) about their upcoming performance. Wilson is the only solid home run we have hit this off-season. So many players this year face questions about their attitude and their recovery from injuries. I am a die hard Raider fan so I am hoping for a 12-4 season but if the responses to the questions are negative we could fall to 4-12.
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JERMAINE BRYANT 11 months ago
YA SUPA BOLE BITCHEZ. RAISERZ REPRESENTIN!!!! BLCK AND WITE 4 LIFE!!!
HOW DO YALL TINK MCFDEN WILL DO? ROOKIE OF THE YEAR BABAYYYYY!!! JAMARCAS WILL THROW LIKE 40 TD'S DIS YEAR AND LIKE HARDLY AANY PICKS I BET.... DATS WHAT U GET 4 DA FIIRST OVERALL PICKK. I CANT MEMB ER DA LAST TIME A QB WAS DRAFTED SO HIGVH AND DID SO BAD... CEPT RYAN LEAF DAT DUDE SUCKED SO MUCH... LOL.... STOP TALKING TO ME!!!!! GET THAWT FUCKING CAMERA OUT OF MY FACE!!!! LMAO SO FUNY. I BET PAYTON WULD LAFF IN HIS FACE LOLL ;COLTS LUCKY DAY DIDNT GET HIM
SPEEKING OF COLTS... RAIDERZ WILL WOOP DAY ASSES IN THE AFC CHAMPIONSHI[ GAME. MCFADDEN WILL GET LIKE 200 YARDS AND RUSEL WILL THROW LIKE 3 TDS TO BLOW DEM OUT. DIS IS THE YEAR OF DA RAIDERZ BABAY!!! SUPA BOLE 4 LIFE!!!
GO RUSEL! GO MCFADXN! GO PORRTER!!!!! I BET PORTER GETS LIKE 15 TDS... COUNT ON IT. NOT ONLY DAT, OUR D WILL BE KILLA.
DIS THE START OF A DYNASTY. PATS WHO??? WE DA TEAM FOR THE NEXT 15 YEARS... RUSEL WILL BE A LEGEND... I TINK LAMONT WILL MAKE A GRET COMEBACK WIT DA RAIDERZ DIS YEAR TOO... GET HIMSELF LIEK 10 TDS.
RAIDERZ 4 LIFE. FUCK ALL YO OTHER BITCH ASSES, YALL ALL SHOULD BE RAISERZ FANZ!!!
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