Oakland Raiders: A Silver Lining To a Silver and Black Cloud

Something is stirring in the Black Hole.

Last week it was released on NFL Network's segment "32 Teams In 32 Days" that the Website users voted the Oakland Raiders the 28th ranked team going into next season.

At first I had to bite my lip at how persistant the Raider haters truly are, but then; something suprised me. I watched as all 3 members of the broadcast defended the Raiders and openly disagreed with the ranks. Even saying such things as 8-8 would be minimal for the Raiders with their current roster.

Where in the hell did that come from?

It all started last season with the benching of JaMarcus Russell. Tom Cable put his stamp on how he'd like to run things as HC of the Raiders, and low and behold, Mr. Davis began to listen. Shortly after, WE started to listen.

What was occurring was a change in culture that has plagued our franchise the last seven years. We saw how something as simple as a Quarterback with more heart than talent could fire up our team. We defeated playoff caliber teams, even though we were considered as the tumultous lowland where talent goes to die.

Then, offseason arrives. We finish 5-11, again. People start calling for Cable's head, but he kept his focus on coaching, scouting, and scheming for the future. Sure enough, Mr. Davis does not axe Coach Cable. Continuity was then added to the Raiders.

The Draft isn't for awhile; days, weeks, a month goes by.... no significant changes with our lineup. We started to get nervous, but Cable had a plan.

Out of no where we sign OLB Kamerion Wimbley, and DE Quentin Groves. Followed by cutting Gerard Warren and Justin Fargas (Yes, I believe it was his time).

Draft Day

We snag Rolando McClain in the 1st round. Hell, I was even surprised. He ran Alabama's defense to perfection, and his work ethic matched his talent by way of requesting a playbook the day of his election.

Then we grab Lamarr Houston. A DT with much athleticism, so much that he had been a HB at one point. He'd be converted to DE to maximise his natural strengths.

Jared Veldheer was unknown to many. But with a ton of upside as a giant OT, he got Cable's seal of approval.

Bruce Campbell is another athletically gifted OT; he honestly looks like a linebacker or defensive end. Many taunted that we would spend our 1st round pick on him. Yet we were patient and ended up getting a steal in round 4.

Jacoby Ford gives us the speedy return man we need, while also being a dynamic Slot WR.

Walter McFadden and Jeremy Ware are two corners with different strengths. I'll go out on a limb and say McFadden could be our Nickel CB right now. However, Ware has more upside to work with. He literally could kill somebody with a hit. (Yes, I'm talking about a Cornerback and not a Safety)

The the big one: We traded a 2012 FOURTH rounder for Washington quarterback Jason Campbell. Every single of his stats has increased in each season (while swapping through 3 OCs, playing in a West Coast system to which he was no suited, and a fanbase with ZERO support for him).

The Media was up in frenzy trying to find a negative spin on our developments, but just looked foolish. So foolish that even ESPN was writing postive articles on our improvements...truly disturbing...

Everything was looking up, but to be rid of a murky past; all strings must be cut.

JaMarcus Russell was released during OTAs. Turning the reigns over to Jason Campbell, who VERY quickly picked up on our system.

We look good guys, let's summarize why.

OFFENSE

Campbell at quarterback gives us the accurate, strong armed, play-action passer that we were trying to convert Russell into. He leads with his play and he's a true team guy, as well as a very friendly individual.

Darren McFadden and Michael Bush will spearhead our running game. Bush will stomp for over 1000 yards, and DMC will eclipse 1000 all purpose yards; look for some versitile usage.

Chaz Shilens when healthy is our possession reciever and a very good one at that. He's been cleared to workout recently. Look for him to have a major breakthrough in his game this year. Louis Murphy had quite a few drops (nine) but showed promise with a solid rookie campaign. Darrius Heyward-Bey was considered a reach as the 7th overall pick in the draft but has looked impressive this offseason. He is gelling with Jason Campbell very swiftly, and that certainly bodes well for us. Zach Miller.... nuff' said! It's only a matter of time before this stud is in a Pro Bowl. For the first time in a long time, we have a legitimate receiving corps!

With Mario Henderson, Bruce Campbell, Jared Veldheer, Khalif Barnes, Langston Walker, Cooper Carlisle, Robert Gallery, Sampson Satele, and Chris Morris. We have a ton of depth and variety with our O-line. Not to mention they'll be much less gassed because of our next point.

DEFENSE

Our defense looks to be a giant Silver and Black wrecking ball.

Within our D front we have Lamarr Houston at DE, Richard Seymour whom can play both interior and exterior (he'll absorb the double teams so others may excell), Tommy Kelley was 5th in the league for DT tackles, Matt Shaughnessy emerged with limited time so look for him to breakout at DE, and now John Henderson is with us (a DT with run stuffing power and a RAIDER personality!). Hmm...our front weighs roughly 1200lbs. HOLY S#iT!!!

At Linebacker Kamerion Wimbley is a young pass rush specialist, Thomas Howard excels in pass coverage, Trevor Scott is another pass rusher, and Quentin Groves (a DE/LB hybrid) may be situational. Rolando McClain is the stud of our linebackers; he'll lead our defense and make the right calls in the QB/MLB chess game.

Our Secondary was ranked 7th in the league last year, and will easily push into the top 5 due to our front 4's huge improvement. Nnamdi Asomugha is the best cover corner in the NFL (You wish Revis!). Chris Johnson shined when he wasn't being thrown at ten times in a row. Tyvon Branch at SS led the NFL with safety tackles (124!), Michael Huff at FS started to show glimmers of breaking out within his technique and coverage ability. Walter Mcfadden and Jeremy Ware will be our Nickel and Dime corners. Stanford Routt is a tool and should be cut immediately. Mike Mitchell provides depth to all phases of the Secondary.

11-5 would not be out of the question with all this said.

All in all nation, something special has happened this offseason. And happily we'll be back to slapping the NFL across it's Raider hating face very. Very soon.

JUST WIN BABY!

Comments people! First article FTW!! :]