Oakland Raiders: The Top 10 Players Wearing Silver and Black Today
If most of the speculation is true then Nnamdi Asomugha and Michael Huff will not be Raiders in 2011. Robert Gallery is also not returning to Oakland next season.
That means the Raiders will be losing three of their longest tenured players on the roster and all three were among the best on the team.
This isn't anything new in the NFL. Teams lose stars every year and new players are always ready to fill in and become the next star.
Let's take a look at the top ten players on the Oakland Raiders roster today.
#10: Sebastian Janikowski
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Sebastian Janikowski is the Oakland Raiders all time leading scorer. He is a big asset to the Raiders and has to be included in this top ten list.
Janikowski gives the Raiders one of the strongest kicking games in the league. He is among the leaders in touch backs during kickoffs which prevents opposing teams from big returns. He also has the ability to kick 60 yard field goals with room to spare.
The Raiders are one of the few teams in the league who feel very confident sending their kicker out for a 50+ yard field goal.
#9: Shane Lechler
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Shane Lechler is another reason the Raiders have the strongest kicking game in the NFL. When Lechler retires he should be considered one of the best all time punters in NFL History.
If he isn't the best punter ever when he retires, he will be in the top three.
Lechler gives the Raiders an edge in the field position battle.
In 2010 he was second in the league in average yards per punt. As a matter of fact he's either led the league or been in second in average yards per punt since 2003.
Being able to pin the opponent deep in their own territory has always been a strength of Lechler.
#8: Michael Bush
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Anytime Michael Bush starts a game he is usually good for 100 yards and at least one touchdown. His size, power and speed allow him to make plays and get into the end zone.
In 2010 he led the Raiders in rushing touchdowns and averaged 4.1 yards per carry. Bush and Darren McFadden make a great duo in the backfield.
Not only can Bush make plays with his feet, but he is also consistent with his hands. In 2010 he was targeted 19 times and made 18 catches.
Bush is the Raiders X Factor for the 2011 season.
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# 7: Tommy Kelly
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Tommy Kelly was at one point the highest paid defensive linemen in the NFL. During the 2010 off season Kelly decided to shed some weight and work harder.
His hard work paid off as he was one of the best interior linemen in the league in 2010.
He recorded 59 tackles and 7 sacks in 2010. His sack total tied him for second most on the team and only 3 interior defensive linemen had more sacks than Kelly in the entire league.
The Raiders defensive line is a major strength heading in to the 2011 season and Kelly is a big part of the reason.
#6: Jason Campbell
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Jason Campbell is coming off his first season as the Raiders quarterback. Campbell has the ability to become the Raiders starter for years to come and he should achieve much success in Oakland.
This will be his second year in a row under the same offense and that is a big deal. He's had 11 different offensive coordinators since his college days. Campbell won't have to worry about focusing on new plays or schemes.
He can focus on execution in 2011. Look for Campbell to have the best year of his career and help lead the Raiders to the playoffs in 2011.
# 5: Kamerion Wimbley
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Kamerion Wimbley could be one of the least talked about defenders on the Raiders roster, but he is one of the best.
The Raiders stole Wimbley from the Cleveland Browns last off season. The 13th overall pick in 2006 was traded to the Raiders for their 2010 3rd round pick.
Not only did Wimbley lead the Raiders in sacks last season, but his nine sacks were the most for an Oakland defender since 2006. His nine sacks were the most sacks he's had since his rookie season.
Expect Wimbley to get more comfortable and get more sacks in 2011 behind that dominant defensive line.
#4: Tyvon Branch
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There comes a time in a player's career when he is asked to take that next step and become a leader for his team. For the 24 year old Tyvon Branch that time has come now.
He was a fourth round pick by the Oakland Raiders in 2008. If Asomugha and Huff do leave he will be considered the best defensive back on the Raider roster.
He has recorded 228 tackles in the last two seasons which is the most out of any Raiders players during that same time period.
He had one interception, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and one touchdown in 2010. For the Raiders to have a successful season they will need better numbers from Branch.
He must improve his pass coverage skills and be aggressive against the run. He has the physical ability to be one of the best safeties in the NFL. 2011 will be a crucial year for Branch.
#3: Darren McFadden
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Darren McFadden had his breakout year in 2010. He had over 1600 yards of total offense and scored 10 touchdowns. He led the league with 14 runs over 20 yards and averaged over five yards per carry.
He was explosive with his speed and menacing with his power. He was too fast for the players strong enough to tackle him, and too strong for the players fast enough to catch him. If he can stay healthy he will go down as the Raiders best running back ever.
Yes, that is right. He can be better than Marcus Allen and Bo Jackson, but McFadden will have to show that last year was no fluke.
While he had big games against teams like the Broncos and Jaguars, he did struggle against teams like the Steelers, Dolphins and Colts.
He will need to have his biggest games against the Raiders toughest opponents next season.
McFadden is only 23 years old and has plenty of time to show he is the real deal.
#2: Zach Miller
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Zach Miller has been the Raiders most consistent player on offense since he came into the league in 2007.
As a rookie he was second on the team in receptions and since 2008 nobody has more receptions for the Raiders than Miller.
He made his first Pro Bowl last season and is looking to make another one in 2011.
Not only is Miller a great weapon through the air, but he is a great pass and run blocker as well. He is a solid all around tight end that will most likely be playing for a contract extension this season.
Last year he had 60 catches and five touchdowns averaging over 11 yards per catch.
#1: Richard Seymour
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The Raiders did not have a first round pick in the 2010 NFL draft because they traded that pick for Richard Seymour.
The Raiders are winning that trade so far and it appears as if they'll never lose. Seymour made his first Pro Bowl as a Raider last season.
He recorded 48 solo tackles which is the fourth most in his career. His 5.5 sacks last season tied his 2nd best season as pro.
Seymour is one of those players that makes everyone around him better. It is no coincidence that two of the linemen who play next to Seymour reached a career high in sacks last season. Neither is it a coincidence that the Raiders were second in sacks in the entire league.
Seymour is a leader on and off the field and that is why he is the best player on the Raiders roster today.
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