Chaz Schilens: Has The Nation Forgotten About The New 81?

In the 2008 NFL Draft the Oakland Raiders drafted multiple late round talents, that have proven to be legitimate contributers to the future of the team's success.

In the seventh round the Raiders may have drafted their biggest steal in WR Chaz Schilens.

I don't think any Raider fan knew who Schilens was, which is common amongst seventh round players. However I think many fans were shocked to see the type of player Schilens was.

Typically, seventh round WR's are the smaller type of recievers who have bursting speed, but will probably be a special teams player.

To much of fans surprise, Schilens turned out to a 6'4 225lb freak. Unless your New Orleans Saints WR Marques Colston, that is not common amongst seventh round WR's.

Then, fans knew he had the measurables Al Davis loved, but what about the speed? Schilens ran a 4.38 forty at 225lbs. Not you're typical speed for that kind of weight.

In 2008 Schilens made his presence known in the pre-season by making big plays, showing physicality in the run game, and smart decisions in situational game play.

Durring the regular season however, Schilens would not be able to shine until his last two games of the schedule. However he again made big plays scoring a touchdown in each.

In 2009 the Raiders drafted two more recievers in the first and fourth rounds, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy. Instantly putting Schilens starting chances in jeopardy.

Schilens would prove however to still be the Raiders best option in the 2009 pre-season by making the Dallas Cowboys starting secondary look dazed and confused.

Unfortunatley the Raider reciever would injur his foot and be sidelined for close to ten weeks.

In the regular season Louis Murphy proved to be the latest late round steal and shine on monday Night football. Have two game winning touchdowns against formidable teams and lead his WR's in receptions with 34 receptions, 531 yards and 4 TD's.

Schilens would put up, 29 receptions, 365 yards, and 2 TD's.

Not to bring a whole lot of math in this article, but thats close to 80 percent of Murphy's production, in about half the time.

But still because of his injury, Schilens is an after thought, as if he has had consistent health issues.

Now with the acquisition of QB Jason Campbell, speculation rises as to whom will be the break out wideout, Murphy being the favorite, and even Darrius Heyward-Bey making progress.

So has the Raider Nation forgotten about Chaz Schilens?

I hate to admit it, but I think so. Im not saying the we have forgotten him completely, but I do think he is an after thought as far as being a legit playmaker and hopefully a pro-bowler.

I think Schilens will break out for many reasons.

One of which being because of the coaching staff. With Hue Jackson coaching the offense, you have to assume that Jackson will bring an adequate passing game to the Oakland Raiders.

Bringing that element to the team will give Schilens the opportunity to bring respectability to the passing game, which is something he has made known he wanted to do for a long time.

Second, is due to the Jason Campbell trade. Campbell never had the kind of receiver he has now in Schilens, in Washington. But even if he did, the West Coast offense would'nt be able to utilize that type of reciever, other than in the red zone.

Though Schilens is a legit threat in the red zone, he is so much more with his kind of speed and reliable hands.

Campbell's skill set will now fit an offense that can make him look better and hopefully cleaner in the pocket.

Campbell is also a much more accurate passer when it comes to the deep ball, so no more over or under throws, and no more praying for a defensive pass interference to make up for the lost yardage.

All those factors will prove to be needed as Chaz Schilens breaks out of offensive ineptitude and becomes the number one receiver in 2010.