Al's New Track Team Of Football Players

Can you say Al finally has his track team? Yes you can, but at the same time unlike other attempts these WR’s have the ability to play football and aren’t track stars first although they have track speed. When you have speed in high school the track team wants you to run and it’s good for football because you learn how to run faster.

Chaz Schilens- 4.38 40, 43” vertical

Darrius Heywaryd-Bey: 4.3 40, 40” vertical

Johnnie Lee Higgins- 4.3 40

Darren McFadden- 4.33 40

However track unfairly labels some players as track stars first. Example, DHB is super fast and actually played basketball before he ran track or played football yet analysts point to his speed and say he’s a track star first. Schilens when healthy produced large numbers in college and his measurables are eerily equal to Calvin Johnson’s. McFadden obviously put up huge numbers at Arkansas.

DHB didn’t put up large numbers, but he was the only playmaker on a horrible offense. He did average 15 yards a catch and when he did get the ball he was a threat. I’m not comparing DHB to Randy Moss, but at least Moss had Chad Pennington as his QB at Marshall unlike DHB who had four QB’s in three years none of which will be drafted or have hopes of playing on Sundays.

With the drafting of both WR’s Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy, the Raiders WR unit appears to be on the way to becoming a major strength. A year or two more of developing the relationship of DHB, Chaz Schilens, Johnnie Lee Higgins, TE Zach Miller, and RB Darren McFadden will create a dynamic offense capable of putting six on the board on any play.

I see DHB as a Roy Williams or TO but with definitely faster type of player. Both players catch the ball with their hands and both players have been known to drop a few catchable balls in key games. DHB analysis talked about his ability to catch the ball. Make no mistake he'll drop balls, but more often than not like the other wideouts above, he'll make plenty of key grabs and will most likely lead the league in longest TD's.

The best and most important thing I’ve heard about DHB is that in practice his routes he were solid, even against Nnamdi. His eyes gave him away against Nnamdi but that’s something he’ll learn as he practices against the best CB in the game. He was still cutting where should and his routes were better than the coaches expected.

The position at No. 1 is Chaz Schilens for the taking, but will injuries derail him again like they have most years he’s played football? Both Schilens and Walker are vying for No. 1, but I believe DHB is going to have the No. 2 based off of his explosion and fear he’ll give defensive coordinators. Provided Schilens stay healthy, the No. 1 & No. 2 will be Schilens & DHB.

RB Darren McFadden will become a key contributor on play-action or on plays where he lines up in the slot and has a one-one-one against a LB or nickel back. McFadden could become a Marshall Faulk type RB in this offense because of his versatility.

And the happiest receiver on the roster right who’s licking his chops after the drafting of DHB? TE Zach Miller that’s who. He’s got to be salivating for the many opportunities he’s going to have finding soft spots in zones that are trying to prevent the speedsters from getting big gains.

Whenever DHB starts putting fear into defenses, he’s going to cause defenses having to give up the short gain to Miller rather than the big gains to Schilens, DHB, Higgins, or McFadden. If any of those WR’s catches the ball in space, every D is going to be worried about a quick six.

Higgins is fast, but he put up big numbers at UTEP. He wasn’t a track star first, he is a football player first. I’ve seen discussion of Higgins being banished to the bench. Higgins isn't banished, but his role was never to become a No. 1 or No. 2 WR.

His role is as a No. 3 who has speed and moves to catch the ball in space and take it for six. He's not going to be banished by any means, but he won't be on the field as he was last year. Last year was a necessity for him with key injuries, this year he'll go back to being a role player with the addition of DHB.

This WR unit isn't going to be playing at full capability this season, at least not right away. It’s going to take some time and growth for both Russell and DHB and that includes just getting to know where your wideout is going to be, kind of like Peyton Manning while he had Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and Edgerrin James.

It took Peyton, Aikman, and other QB’s a few years to develop the needed relationship with their wideouts to become a dominant unit. It wasn’t overnight.

I look forward to the development of these Raiders. These WR’s have every opportunity to become a group that strikes fear into any defensive coordinator who is tasked to stop them.

Yes Al finally has his “track team” but I look forward to seeing these wideouts play this upcoming season and taking it to house because not only are they football players, but they have breakaway “track” speed.