Oakland Raiders: Is 2011 a Playoffs or Bust Season?

This is the time of year when fans begin to feel optimistic of the upcoming season for their team.  Whether a fan for the Green Bay Packers or Carolina Panthers, everyone is excited for the new season.  And every fan believes their team will be a playoff team.

Although the lockout has changed the typical NFL off-season, fans are still gearing up for Week 1 in September. 

The Oakland Raiders have added coaches like Rod Woodson and players like Stefen Wisniewski who they believe will help improve the team.  But we don't know yet which players will be lost when there is a free agency period.

So taking the team the Raiders have right now, is 2011 playoffs or bust?

I think it has to be.  Coming off an 8-8 season, promoting Hue Jackson to head coach, bringing in new assistant coaches and adding players in the draft, the Raiders need the playoffs in 2011.

Hue Jackson may be a first year head coach, but he isn't a first year Raider.  He spent last season with the offense and ignited a devastating running game that ranked second in the NFL.

The Raiders are expected to lose Nnamdi Asomugha when free agency begins, but with Hall of Famer Rod Woodson coming in from the NFL Network studio, he can develop the younger corners on the roster.  The Raiders still have Stanford Routt who had one of the best "burn" percentages in the NFL, aka, fewest completions allowed.  He was close to Darrelle Revis in that category.

The offensive line was average at best last year and will lose its best player, Robert Gallery, when free agency begins.  But the Raiders brought in eight-time Pro Bowler and Raider great Steve Wisniewski as assistant offensive line coach.  It also remains to be seen how well Bruce Campbell, Joseph Barksdale and Stefen Wisniewski will help the line.

If and when the 2011 season starts, the Raiders better be ready to make a push.