Grading the Strength of Every Positional Unit Heading into Oakland Raiders Camp

Not every positional unit has to be an "A" group to win games or even a Super Bowl. No further evidence is needed than the 2011 season. The New York Giants won the Super Bowl with an average running game and secondary and the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers won a lot of games with poor defenses.

Grading the strength of every positional unit headed into training camp is like the report card they send after the first month of school; it's only based on participation and the final grade is based on the test.

The first report card is a general status report and gives the opportunity to correct areas of weakness and take stock of the strengths which is the primary goal of these grades.

The 2011 Oakland Raiders finished with eight wins in 2011, which is an average season. A "C" is the grade given to an average team.

Average students don't typically become geniuses overnight, so the grades should, at most, reflect incremental movement. Not every team actually gets better in the offseason, although it might seem like it. These grades should realistically allow for the possibility that the team got worse in some areas.

Specialists

Shane Lechler is one of the best punters in the NFL. Sebastian Janikowski has the biggest leg in the NFL and certainly is a very reliable kicker.

Even the long snapper Jon Condo is great.

Not much more to say about this group.

GRADE: A+

Quarterback

Thanks to former head coach Hue Jackson the Raiders have their franchise quarterback in Carson Palmer. Palmer will head into the season as the unquestioned starter to be backed up by Matt Leinart and Terrelle Pryor.

Palmer will have an entire offseason to learn a new offensive system and bond with a young group of receivers. Palmer played well at times last season and the added time working out the kinks with his coaches and teammates will be a huge lift for Palmer and the Raiders.

Matt Leinart was signed to be a veteran sounding board for Carson Palmer and help him learn the new system. Leinart knows the offensive system from his time with offensive coodinator Greg Knapp. Palmer and Leinart also knew each other during their time at USC.

Terrelle Pryor rounds out the group of quarterbacks. He's young, athletic and still trying to get a grasp on the position at the pro level.

From top to bottom, it's hard to find a more complete group of quarterbacks on any team in the league, but questions remain about how Palmer fits the new offense.

GRADE: B

Running Back

Michael Bush was a free agent and signed with Chicago leaving the Raiders thin at the running back position. To solidify the position, Reggie McKenzie made his first trade as general manager and sent offensive lineman Bruce Campbell to Carolina in exchange for Mike Goodson.

Goodson is a veteran of the zone-blocking scheme the Raiders will deploy this season, making him an ideal candidate to replace Bush. His weakness has been ball security with five fumbles over the past two seasons in limited duty.

Darren McFadden is the star of this positional unit having averaged 5.3 yards per carry and 122 total yards per game over the past two seasons. He'll have to re-adjust to the zone-blocking scheme, but he was drafted to play in this scheme and had one full year to learn the basics (2008).

Speedster Taiwan Jones had injury issues during his rookie year, but once he learns the zone-blocking principles he could be dangerous.

With the change of schemes and the addition of Goodson, the Raiders are really only missing a big, short-yardage back. Given that short-yardage duties can be handled by a fullback it's hard to knock down the grade too much.

GRADE: A-

Wide Reciever

Wide receiver might be one of the most talked about and exciting positions on the entire Raiders' squad.

At the end of the 2011 season the starters were Darrius Heyward-Bey at split end, Denarius Moore at Flanker and Jacoby Ford in the slot.

Don't expect the starters to change much, but rookie Juron Criner might muscle his way into the rotation.

Louis Murphy has been productive when given opportunities, but he'll be fighting for a roster spot with Eddie McGee and a host of other young receivers.

When the leading wide receiver from two seasons ago is fighting for a roster spot, the position has come a long way.

Tempering all the excitement are the changes to the offensive system that will require more technically sound receivers and put the pressure on the young receivers to run better routes and get their timing down with Carson Palmer.

The Raiders still don't know if they have a legitimate No. 1 receiver, but the position is one to watch.

GRADE: B

Tight End

Last offseason, the Raiders lost free agent Zach Miller to the Seattle Seahawks. The loss prompted the Raiders to sign free agent Kevin Boss.

Either the contract was signed in desperation or the production from Boss was an issue for the new regime and Boss was released.

The Raiders are left with three tight ends on the roster: veteran Brandon Myers and second-year players David Ausberry and Richard Gordon.

Each player bring a unique skill set to the team. Gordon is primarily a blocker and will continue to be primarily a blocking tight end.

Myers is a solid blocker with a little receiving ability, but is limited in the passing game.

David Ausberry is a converted wide receiver that has the most potential, but he has a lot of work to do on his blocking and still needs to get better as a receiver as well.

The Raiders have something to work with, but it's below-average positional grouping until one of the three step up and solidify their starting position.

GRADE: D

Offensive Line

One of the surprise units of 2011. An offensive line with a lot of questions coming into 2011 came together and did a solid job.

In 2012, the blocking scheme is changing, forcing the Raiders to make changes to suit the scheme.

Despite the changing of the blocking scheme, the Raiders have a chance to return four out of five starters.

Jared Veldheer has done a terrific job solidifying the left tackle position. He still needs to eliminate the mental errors in his game and get better, but the Raiders no longer have to worry about having an adequate blind-side protector.

Cooper Carlisle will battle with rookie Tony Bergstrom for the starting left guard position as Stefen Wisniewski slides from left guard to his more natural center position.

Free-agent acquisition Mike Brisiel will start at right guard having come over from Houston and Khalif Barnes is expected to retain his starting right tackle position.

Brisiel, Carlisle and Bergstrom have experience running the zone-blocking scheme. The new scheme is expected to benefit Khalif Barnes as well.

The Raiders brought in competition for the backup jobs on the offensive line. Lucas Nix, Ed Wang, Alex Parsons and Kevin Haslem will compete with Joseph Barksdale for primary backup roles.

Overall, too many moving parts, new scheme and significantly below-average players such as Carlisle and Barnes might start.

Grade: B-

Fullback

The Raiders announced Marcel Reece had signed his exclusive-rights tender on Monday and started participating in organized team activities.

In addition to the dynamic and versatile Reece, the Raiders picked up free agent Owen Schmitt as a blocking fullback. Schmitt is experienced with the zone-blocking scheme and will help spring running backs into the second level of the defense.

Good things tended to happen when the Raiders got Reece involved in the offense in 2011 and it will be interesting to see how Greg Knapp uses the talents of Reece in 2012.

Reece still isn't the greatest of blockers, but he's certainly improved in that area since becoming the starter.

Poor Manase Tonga probably lost his blocking fullback job once he was injured and Schmitt was signed.

It's not often a team carries two fullbacks, but that's just what I expect the Raiders to do in 2012. Schmitt and Reece will combine to be one heck of a tandem.

GRADE: A

Defensive Tackle

There are times when Richard Seymour has been a disruptive force on the defensive line, but he's played somewhat inconsistently since he arrived in Oakland.

Seymour's inconsistent play was apparent to Reggie McKenzie and he mentioned it in his interview with 95.7 The Game on Tuesday.

You could say Tommy Kelly has actually been a bit more consistent than Seymour. Perhaps Kelly is not as dominant overall, but he's been pretty good up the middle for the Raiders.

If Seymour is more consistently dominant and Kelly continues to do what he has done, the Raiders have the potential to be great up the middle.

Desmond Bryant should get more time at defensive tackle with a healthy Matt Shaughnessy and the additions of Dave Tollefson and Jack Crawford at defensive end. Bryant has been a consistently productive player for the past two seasons at both defensive tackle and defensive end.

Dennis Allen previously announced that Tommy Kelly would be the nose tackle when the Raiders switch to a 3-4 defense and made clarifying remarks Tuesday in an interview with 95.7 The Game.

Allen explained that the Raiders probably wouldn't be using Kelly at a two-gap nose tackle, but rather a one-gap player in the 3-4. As Allen explained, the 3-4 defense just refers to how many lineman and linebackers are lined up.

Don't be surprised if most the the 3-4 looks come on passing downs and not in situations where the Raiders need to stop the run.

If the Raiders do end up using the 3-4 on running downs, expect Travis Ivey to be the two-gap nose tackle and not Kelly.

There is concern at defensive tackle that the Raiders released the only player they had that could consistently stop the run in John Henderson.

Henderson played in 13 games and the Raiders allowed an average of 141 yards rushing in those games. The Raiders allowed 136 yards per game on the season. If Henderson made a huge difference in the run game, it didn't show.

Still, it would be hard to say the Raiders got better defending the run at defensive tackle and any improvement will have to do with the scheme and offense getting leads.

GRADE: B+

Defensive End

A healthy Matt Shaughnessy will provide a huge lift the the defensive line. Desmond Bryant can go back to freelancing, primarily at defensive tackle, instead of playing defensive end in place of Shaughnessy.

Shaughnessy was making a lot of noise during the preseason and training camp 2011—expect no different in 2012.

Lamarr Houston is a very good defensive end. Even if the sack numbers don't reflect his actual performance, he sets the edge well and he gets pressure on the quarterback even if he hasn't been able to bring him down for the sack.

Dave Tollefson was brought in as veteran depth and to hopefully provide additional pass rush. The Raiders drafted Jack Crawford in the fifth round and he could crack the rotation early due to a lack of depth.

The obvious concern is the lack of speed off the edge and depth. The Raiders will have to find creative ways to bring pressure with linebackers and safeties and hope Shaughnessy and Houston can stay healthy.

GRADE: B

Middle/Inside Linebacker

Rolando McClain is still the starting middle linebacker, but there are a few players that could push him in 2012.

One of those players is oft-injured Travis Goethel. For two straight training camps, Goethel has impressed only to get hurt for a prolonged period of time.

When the Raiders shift from the 4-3 to the 3-4, it could be Goethel gaining the snaps on the inside.

Goethel will obviously have to step in if McClain were to miss any time due to injury or for legal reasons at middle linebacker.

The Raiders also drafted a middle linebacker—Nate Stupar—and he will be developed and help on special teams.

Aaron Curry could also play inside in 3-4 alignments to allow a pass rusher to take their snaps at his outside linebacker spot.

With Goethel healthy, Stupar and more depth at outside linebacker that could enable Curry to slide inside, there is much more to work with at middle linebacker than there was in 2011.

The concern is pass coverage. McClain, Goethel, Curry and the rookie Stupar all need work in pass coverage.

It's a group with a ton of potential, but they need the proper coaching to reach it.

GRADE: C

Outside Linebacker

The Raiders had very little at outside linebacker in 2011. The cupboard was so bare that the Raiders traded for Aaron Curry and he started the same week he was acquired.

Thankfully, the Raiders added depth at outside linebacker in the offseason and things are looking a little better.

Mile Burris was drafted in the fourth round, Phillip Wheeler was signed as a free agent and Aaron Curry restructured his contract.

Burris will probably be used a blitzing linebacker initially with Wheeler and Curry as the starters.

One undrafted free agent that appears to have a good change of making the roster is Kaelin Burnett. He's got speed off the edge and that's one thing this defense lacks.

The Raiders were forced to release Kamerion Wimbley for salary cap reasons and will miss his edge rush. Dennis Allen and defensive coordinator Jason Tarver will have to get creative with the linebackers to give the Raiders a chance to pressure the quarterback from the outside.

Given the youth and lack of edge rush, it is very difficult to give this group a decent grade. Potential is there, but this group will have to earn the grade.

GRADE: C-

Cornerback

Two veteran cornerbacks were starters on the Raiders' defense in 2011. Two veteran cornerbacks will be starters for the Raiders' defense in 2012.

Two rookies were the backups in 2011 and two sophomores will be the backups in 2012.

So what's changed? The identity of the veterans and one year's worth of experience for two of the Raiders' young cornerbacks.

Shawntae Spencer and Ron Bartell were signed and immediately penciled in as starters after the release of Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson.

What is one year of experience for DeMarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chekwa worth? Are Bartell and Spencer an upgrade over Routt and Johnson.

There's no easy answer. I believe they will be better because the defensive scheme will be better, but not based on talent alone.

Despite the changes there is still a lack of depth at cornerback and there isn't much available on the market to help. Unless the starters stay healthy, things could get ugly.

GRADE: D

Safety

The Raiders designated Tyvon Branch as their franchise player. That should indicate, at least a little, how valuable he is to the Raiders' defense.

Branch has really developed his game and is not only good in the box, but can cover as well.

Michael Huff is the starting free safety. He was on his way to turning his career in the right direction in 2010, but a 2011 injury and a bunch of time at cornerback really messed with him.

Behind Huff the Raiders have veteran Matt Giordano, a great locker room guy. Giordano also led the team in interceptions last season.

Behind Branch the Raiders have Mike Mitchell, but he could be pushed by some of the other safeties such as Curtis Taylor.

Aaron Henry and Brandon Underwood may also be in the mix for a roster spot depending on performance during training camp and preseason.

Overall, the group is deeper and younger than it was last year, whether that's how it stays will depend on training camp. For now, it's a mixed bag, but generally strong unit for the Raiders.

GRADE: B