Going into the 49ers' game last Friday night, there was no doubt in my mind, or the minds of many of those who've been following the Raiders over the past few months, that the Raiders were a much better team than we'd seen over the past five years.
Unlike past seasons, they didn't disappoint, as they showed most of the Bay Area that what many of us have been saying was at least partly true, they WERE better. The question now becomes: Will they stay that way?
The news coming out of camp is filled with injury after injury of key performers that the Raiders can't afford to lose. The head coach has been quoted as saying that he doesn't have enough depth and that the team isn't very good right now.
What's a fan to think?
Some go about their business and blindly believe that the Raiders will be good or bad this season, regardless of the news. Others, like myself, seem to continue living this roller coaster of dread/optimism that has its ups and downs, corkscrews, and flips.
Then there are those in between, who vary on their opinions, which hover around the middle of all of the predictions.
Starting with special teams, here are just a few of the injuries to keep track of. Sebastian Janikowski is having his annual hamstring problem, and Shane Lechler has just developed a quad injury to keep him company.
Not to be outdone, rookie safety and starting kick returner Tyvon Branch just had an operation on his thumb and is now wearing a cast. Looks like special teams is doing well, doesn't it?
On offense, starting left tackle Kwame Harris has a shoulder injury which is forcing Mario Henderson into the starting left-tackle spot. The problem with that is, for all of the fear about Harris protecting the $60 million dollar man, JaMarcus Russell, Henderson is much worse.
Luckily, Ronald Curry, Drew Carter, Justin Fargas, and the injury prone Javon Walker seem to be healthy for the moment. Backup offensive tackle, Mark Wilson, broke his leg early in camp and has since been cut.
The defensive news is what really troubles me. Terdell Sands has already had to drain his ailing knee a couple of times, Tommy Kelly is coming off of surgery on one of his knees, and most of the secondary is banged up.
That combo of DeAngelo Hall and Nnamdi Asomugha that Raider Nation has been dying to see is hobbling at best. Hall has a sprained or broken hand, depending on whom you talk to. If you talk to Kiffin, it's fine. If you talk to Hall, it's broken. Go figure, Hall is already disagreeing with his coach.
Nnamdi Asomugha, the best corner in the league, now has a foot injury. X-Rays were negative, but so were the X-Rays on DeAngelo Hall's hand. You get my drift?
Luckily, the Raiders have Stanford Routt, who isn't injured. The problem is, nobody else on the roster can cover a fifth-string NFL receiver. Nobody, unless of course they put Michael Huff in the corner and move someone else into the free-safety spot.
Hey, isn't the free-safety spot one of the Raiders problems from last season? Yeah, and if Huff isn't playing there, it will be a problem next season too.
Am I wrong to feel worried?
13 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Raider Card Addict 10 months ago
Mostly on the Raider end of things, it's still early. Injuries happen, and so far, only one player has been put on the shelf and is done....that was Mark Wilson.
Things like Sprains, pulls, etc, happen to every team, from the Broncos who look like an ER with only 2 doctors, to the Steelers, who had to replace one QB with a broken collarbone. Things happen.
The great guessing game between Hall and Kiffin, comes down to how effective he is, injured. He's not paid to sit on the sideline playing Jenga.....he's in there to pick off passes, which he did quite well with that cast on one hand.
If I revamp my guess, I'll wait until after the last game of the preseason, see who's left standing....and even then, once the 53 man rosters are released....I'll have a cup of tea with my choice.
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big ROC Stockton, CA 10 months ago
Deangelo Hall and Nnamdi both returned to practice so I think you are being paranoid. This is football. Guys have little nagging injuries all the time. It's just preseason right now so there isn't much for the media to talk about so they'll turn a sprain into a fracture or a sore foot into a long term injury. From what I heard, both guys would be able to play if it were a game that actually meant a whole lot.
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Raider Revenge Payback 10 months ago
This is simply the players, coaches and owners way of avoiding preseason games. All the players above don't need to play in preseason games. These games are reserved for players that need to be observed in game time situations and rookies. If I was coach I will have a bigger injury list for the reporters and the NFL to right article like this. Another way for haters to wish bad things for the Raiders. I get it, hell I wish injuries on LT every year.
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greg pitsch 10 months ago
It is nothing to worry about, they are back. I know Hall having a cast sounds bad, but he was still practicing.
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Jeff Little 10 months ago
Excellent Article, Rob. I agree with all of your takes. The unfortunate thing as we all know is that injuries are part of the game and happen too frequently. As stated "the Raiders have 25 days to right the wrongs that are currently causing this pessimism."
I feel that the team will be ready to go when the season starts.
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D Stevens 10 months ago
Rob,
You always have a way of saying what a lot of people are thinking. But it will get better and the injuries will be fine. Time to take another drink of the Kool Aid and chill. Remember these guys are getting way better medical care than any of us could pay for from the team not to mention if I'm making NFL money and I get hurt, I'm calling the in home massage therapist for a couple sessions a day.
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Heather L. Ruelle 10 months ago
Yeah, I'm a die hard Raiders fan. I'm not giving up on them yet. 25 years is a LONG time, but I'm still hopeful.
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Sean Crowe 10 months ago
11-5? My Goodness......
I think they're somewhere between 6 and 8 wins this season. No team with a basically rookie quarterback is winning 10 or 11 games this season....
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Raider Card Addict 10 months ago
*coughs* um Sean....what was the name of that one rookie, Brady was it?
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Peter Bukowski 10 months ago
I'm with you Sean, these Raider fans are still having delusions after drafting Darren McFadden or something I'm not sure. 6 wins MAX
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Raider Card Addict 10 months ago
Um, no Peter. If anyone is wondering about 6 wins, you might ask the Packers how much of last year was Favre's swan song, and how much of it was the rest of the team.
After all, look at other teams that saw a legend retire. Elway's broncos blew up on the launch pad, Marino....well, the Dolphins never really went out good. Once Plunkett for the Raiders was effectively done playing in the mid-late 80s, you got to see the Raiders slow down for a number of seasons.
Aaron Rodgers, I hate to say it, I wouldn't want to replace Favre.
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Rob Calonge 10 months ago
Thanks to all for stopping by and taking a look. I understand that injuries happen, but they happen often and good teams have people that are capable of stepping into those injured shoes and provide acceptable performances. As far as weaknesses go, that's the Raiders' achilles heal this season...for now.
Players improve and situations change all of the time, and if things change for the better...great.
As far as the 11-5 goes, schedule is the key. Rookie or not, many of the teams on the schedule for the Raiders are not as good...I think. Of course, I'm still reserving the right to change that at any time prior to the start of the season.
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Robert D 10 months ago
Dude, relax!
this is football, not ballet. Guy's get hurt.
They'll be ready to go when the season starts and they'll be a much better team than last year. I'm predicting they will get "sleeper honors" they will surprise alot of teams.
11-5 is not out of the question!
GO Raiders!
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