Oakland Raiders: Now That I Can See the Light

Being a Raiders fan, I constantly hear negative talk about how horrible the offense is and how this team is years away from being competitive. No matter how I hard I try, even fellow Raider fans I know even believe the ship is going down fast.

However, I look at this rebuilding project as a glass half full. In 2007, prior to Al hiring Kiffin, Al admitted that the hiring of Art Shell set this franchise back many years.

Al knew something had to be done to this team and especially his offense. The offense was constructed of players who wouldn’t start on any decent team in the NFL, but because of a porous offense they were able to notch down starting positions.

He knew a major rebuilding project was going to be undertaken for which most fans have seen as a failure because of the continued losing.

However, if you’ve noticed the changes, you’ll see how drastic this team has changed and how finally 2009 looks like a season that will put the Raiders back into being a respectable team and not a pushover.

In 2006, the following players were starters on the offense:

QB: Aaron  Brooks  

FB: Zach Crockett

RB: Justin Fargas

RB: ReShard Lee

LT: Robert Gallery

LG: Paul McQuistan  

C: Jake Grove

RG: Kevin Booth

RT: Langston Walker  

TE: Randall Williams

WR:Randy Moss

WR Johnnie Morant

WR: Doug Gabriel

Now, going into 2009, the offense is completely different with only player from that team still on the offense although at a different position, Robert Gallery:

QB: Russell,  

FB:  Lawton

RB:  Michael Bush, Justin Fargas

RB:  Darren McFadden, Louis Rankin

LT:  Mario Henderson, Khalif Barnes, Paul McQuistan  

LG:  Robert Gallery

C:    Samson Satele         

RG: Cooper Carlisle

RT: Khalif Barnes, Erik Pears, whomever replaces Green

TE: Zach Miller

WR: ?

WR Chaz Schilens

WR:  Johnnie Lee Higgins

This offseason the Raiders are putting most of the finishing touches on the offense. Yes the defense still needs work, but at least the offense is for the most part complete.

Cable understands the biggest obstacle in the development of his offense is keeping Russell upright. As you’ve seen by the trade for Satele and the other lineman brought in, he’s intent on making changes.

Al has made the signing of Barnes an awesome signing. He’s a player that is basically going to play like he’s in his contract year.

Henderson has spent the ENTIRE offseason at Raiders headquarters honing his craft. He’s not going to give up his spot and signing Barnes could be the “oomph” that propels Henderson into LT starter status. Pears played LT in Denverin the ZBS, therefore he should naturally be able to play RT.

With a security blanket type of WR (Michael Crabtree or Hakeem Nicks) and rebuilt O-line, this offense can finally take off.

Imagine Russell having seven seconds to look for Miller, Higgins, Schilens, Crabtree, and McFadden?

Al is building a dominant offense before he turns the keys over. Russell’s junior year at LSU he completed 68 percent of his passes so if he has time to dissect a D, he will. He may have a cannon, but his accuracy is what got him drafted No. 1.

Everyone know this team can run the ball. The O line hasn't allowed the team to be successful at passing (in addition to dropped balls and never the same WR's). Once the O line is solid and a No. 1 WR is brought in, the offense as a whole will finally be very potent.

This season should see the team battle for .500. In a weak AFC West it's possible they win it. It’s taken time guys, but look forward to major improvements this season among the offense.