Oakland Raiders: Team Is Stuck in Good-Team Mode, I'm Just Saying!

The Oakland Raiders are a good football team.

It's hard to spit out the words above, especially after the "bring-the-team-back-to-earth" loss that the Raiders suffered on Sunday against the New England Patriots. But, it's true, and Raider haters need to deal with it.

The question is, is "good" good enough?

If the Raiders are going to be the team Raider Nation wants them to be, they have to make opponents see them in a different way.

In my humble opinion, I think there are four types of teams in the NFL.  The following is how I categorize them and where I think the Raiders stand at the quarter turn of the 2011 season.

Not Good, but Don't Overlook

From 2003 through 2009, the Raiders were this type of team.  The Raiders never won more than five games during that stretch of futility. 

Opposing teams are generally not concerned with this type of opponent; it doesn't matter if they have to go on the road or host a team that is tagged with this label.

Pride and the "any given Sunday" thing will get them a few wins.  But, for the most part, they are an afterthought to the NFL's elite.

Turning the Corner and Can Be Dangerous

This is the 2010 Oakland Raiders.  Running back Darren McFadden had a breakout year, and veteran transplant Richard Seymour gave the Raiders a little bit of their swagger back. 

Losses in big games against solid teams—games at Pittsburgh and Jacksonville come to mind—kept them from taking the next step.

A Good Football Team

This brings us up to date. 

The Raiders are good.  They have the talent to win 10-plus games and win the AFC West.  I know, once the postseason starts, anything can happen. 

This most likely won't be the case for the silver and black unless some changes are made and a few key players get back on the field.

If this happens, the Raiders could take the next step.

Strikes Fear into Other Team

This is where the Raiders need to be.  Can they be this team in 2011?  Absolutely!

Getting their defense straightened out is job No. 1. Key injuries have kept that from happening so far.  The propensity for giving up the big play needs to go away as well.

I stated in a previous article that the Raiders offense can carry the team.  I stand behind this, but the defense has to hold its water and not be in the bottom tier in most statistical categories.

The defensive front four is the anchor for the team on defense.  Linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and Rolondo McClain can carry their weight, but the secondary is beat up and porous.  This needs to change.

How far are the Raiders from being a feared team? It's a mystery at this point in the season.

Like I said, the Raiders are good, and guys like Darren McFadden, rookie wide-out Denarius Moore, tight end Kevin Boss and the continued development of quarterback Jason Campbell give them the ability to create nightmares for defensive coordinators all over the league.

I'm just saying!