Nnamdi Asomugha & Darrius Heyward-Bey face off in a drill
The optimist says: The Oakland Raiders have had a strong offseason, they have rid themselves of the cancer that has been sapping their strength. They have also focused on bringing in guys who buy into Tom Cable's system, and with the leadership of the new offensive brain trust the Raiders are going to have a winning record.
The strongest evidence that JaMarcus Russell was the anchor around the neck of the offense was the sudden ability of the team to move the ball and score points once Russell. was planted on the bench. The competition between Bruce Gradkwoski and Jason Campbell for the starting position is going to make both of them better, and ensure that whomever wins will be hungry to be the best. He will have the confidence of his team to be The Man who is going to lead them.
Having a quarterback who can deliver the ball on target will help the Raiders young receivers take the step to move to the next level. Darrius Heyward-Bey's intense offseason work on his hands, and his never let down attitude will serve him to be greatly improved. The receiver's ability to make plays will free up coverage off of Zach Miller who will have a Pro Bowl caliber season.
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Robet Gallery's health will hold out for the entire season and Mario Henderson will play to the level he did at the beginning of the 2009 season, opening holes for Michael Bush to be the Raiders first 1000 yard rusher since Justin Fargas in 2007.
With the Hue Jackson-led revamped offense averaging 24 points a game, the opposing teams have to pass on the Raiders secondary. This takes the pressure off of the Raiders run defense, which will be much improved with the additions of Rolando McClain and Lamarr Houston, with Houston narrowly edging his teammate for defensive rookie of the year, with Houston's seven sacks being the deciding factor.
The bulk that has been added to the front seven leads the Raiders end up ranking near the middle of the pack in run defense, which is a massive step up from the previous seasons. Their pass defense is ranked in the top half of the league, with quarterbacks never getting time to get comfortable in the pocket with Lamarr Houston and Richard Seymour consistently in their faces. However, Trevor Scott will end up leading the team in sacks for the third year in a row and break into double digits for the first time coming coming from the "elephant" linebacker position.
With these things coming together for Tom Cable and the Raiders, they open with a close win over the Tennessee Titans. With the excitement of an opening win and a fresh season, the Coliseum is packed for the home opener against the St Louis Rams. The revamped Raiders steamroll the Rams to open with two consecutive wins since 2002. In week three, the Raiders eek out another win over the Cardinals by taking advantage of Matt Leinert's jitters and picking off several passes. The early season mojo doesn't come through when the Raiders slip against Texans to finish the first quarter of the season at 3-1.
They open the second quarter of the season by hosting the post-LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers. The Raiders rebound from their slip against the Texans to snap their losing streak against the Chargers. Te Raiders cross the bay to face the 49ers and this game is a slugfest. Sebastian Janikoski delivers a win in overtime with a 40+ yard field goal at windy Candlestick. The Raiders travel to Mile High to face Denver and just can't get it done. The Broncos take this one in the thin air. They come home to face the Seattle Seahawks and are listless. At the halfway point of the season the Raiders are 5-3. They haven't had a winning record at the halfway point since 2001 when they were 6-2 and went on to win the AFC West title.
The Raiders host the Chiefs in their last game before the bye. They can't shake their sloppy ways, and fall for a third consecutive game. The storyline at the break becomes that they were the same old Raiders, and were falling apart at the seams. However, this is a team that had tasted winning and developed expectations. They have extra practices over the break to get their early season intensity back. They come back from the break facing a Steeler team that is riding high from the return of Ben Roethlisberger, but the Raiders simply demolish them and score their biggest offensive output in years. Ben Roethlisberger has to leave the game with a concussion, and the Raiders make a statement. They beat the Miami Dolphins, but come up short in a rematch with the San Diego Chargers. At the three quarters point they have a 7-5 record and the Raider Nation is daring to dream playoffs.
The Raiders travel to Jacksonville with Michael Bush running through former Raider Kirk Morrison for the winning touchdown. Denver comes to town for a game with playoff implications. The NFL Flexes it to prime time, the first time the Raiders have had a game flexed since flex scheduling was introduced. The Raiders take their revenge on the Broncos and win their first prime time game since November of 2004. The Raiders host the Indianapolis Colts with a chance to clinch the AFC West with a win. However, the Colts also need a win, so Peyton Manning takes the field, and the Raiders defense can't stop him. It is a high scoring shootout, but the Colts leave with a win. This sets up the season finale with the arch rival Kansas City Chiefs, and the Raiders and Broncos tied for the AFC lead at 9-6. By virtue of the tie breakers, the Raiders control their destiny and if they win, they are in the playoffs. The NFL flexes this game as it is the only week 17 game with playoff implications. The Raiders take no prisoners and lock up the AFC West crown for the first time since 2002 with a 10-6 record.
Have a great weekend. On Sunday night, I will counter this with the pessimist's view. But for the weekend, let yourself dream.
NOTES:
On Sunday July 18th at 10am eastern ESPN will profile Jailen Cooper who attended the Oakland Raiders OTA as part of the Make-a-wish foundation, and his experience with the Raiders, as part of their "My Wish" series. Cooper was given his own locker, and got to tackle Darren McFadden in a special 'drill." Coach Cable even had him take a question from the media.
Comments
I also see 10-6, but I expect us to sweep the Chiefs and Broncos. We will split with SD and lose to Indy, Houston, Miami, SF, and Pit yet win all of our other non-divisional games. If Indy has a near perfect or perfect record week 15, they may give the game away like they did last year against the Jets...possible 11-5 dare I say.
@JeraldB. Yeah Go Raiders. Yeah woo man. Who rocks.Raiders Rock dude.. Alright.... who's awesome.I'm putting on my makeup right now. we will kill the donkeys. donkeys suck. they smell funny. yeah. Im picking my nose right now. Where did that chief guy go? to the house. We are gonna kill them all ha ha ha ha ha. yeah, we crazy. sweep the chargers. There is no way the raiders could go less than 15-1. no way. they are way to super awesome.wouldnt make logical sense. they only lose to the colts. and thats because vineterri gets lucky. other than that we now have the undisputed best team in the NFL ever!!!! no one can stand. its sofunny how they all tremble with fear of us. dont you agree? ha ha ha ha.
Nice read, PatPat! Has a ring of truth to it - though, as an optimist, I can't see us losing to K.C. this year - we need to, and should, sweep them. The Seachicks should fall to us also - regardless of the 1st Donkey outcome. All things considered we can hit double-digit wins in regulation - as your optimistic ego (or Id) projects. I'm uneasy about hearing from your super-ego, though; maybe you should stop with this wonderful post!
Nice read, PatPat! Has a ring of truth to it - though, as an optimist, I can't see us losing to K.C. this year - we need to, and should, sweep them. The Seachicks should fall to us also - regardless of the 1st Donkey outcome. All things considered we can hit double-digit wins in regulation - as your optimistic ego (or Id) projects. I'm uneasy about hearing from your super-ego, though; maybe you should stop with this wonderful post!
If the Raiders can't sweep Denver, then they don't deserve to go to the playoffs. It's time for the Raiders to start beating mediocre teams and beating some tough teams as well. Denver should be less than mediocre. Same go's for KC.
The Raiders need to go 5-1 in the AFC west. I think the defense will be up to the challenge, if the offensive line stays healthy, the Raiders should be able to put up 24 points game and that should put them at 10-6 or 11-5. I'm not going into who the Raiders should beat out out of their own division, but if they go 5-1 they only need 5 more wins to be playoff bound.
Nice article Patrick! Always a good read. I love your enthusiasm! This will be the year we stop the streak with the Chargers, and I could easily see us sweep the Chiefs and the Broncos. Our front seven will be too much for a lot of teams to deal with. Our new d-line coach has a lot to work with!! Go Raiders!!!!!
well looking at the schedule.. we could possibly beat most of the teams we play.. we did beat all the hard teams last year??
Everybody counts a bit differently, I saw a 6 and 10 season given that schedule, you have to walk before you run. Your biggest problem will be the "{same old Raiders" syndrome creeping into the locker room about halfway through the season when more than a few blemishes are on your record and the grumbling begins. The second problem will be next offseason as you no longer have a 2011 first round pick and nothing to trade for one. Good luck in 2010, despite the problems Raider Nation does support their team.
I like the enthusiasm, but the reality is that the Raiders have a very suspect offensive line, and with the oline the Raiders have assembled, I see an 8-8 season (at best) and a possible wild card if luck is with the Raiders. Until Al Davis commits to building a quality offensive line, our offense will continue to struggle to make points, as the foundation of an offense begins with the oline. As far as Heyward-Bey, the jury is out way too soon, as playing non-contact football is far different than contact. Let's see what DHB can do when he is getting jammed at the line and has a cornerback bearing in on him for a hit. Until then, we should reserve judgement on his so-called improvement as a wide receiver.
We could do it, with a stud added to the offensive line, and maybe take a gamble on TO. I don't really like his personality, but he didn't burn down Buffalo. It's not like having him the mix wouldn't hurt. But between him and a great add-on Center or Guard, I'd take the OL over the TO. Should be an exciting season any way, compared to the last 2 years.
So you wrote a pessimistic view and an optimistic view of the Raiders upcoming season. Try writing a realistic view. ;)
Optimistic record - 7-9
Pessimistic record - 5-11
Realistic - 6-10
awesum
I agree with all the areas that improved and feel we are much better. However, I am reserving judgement untill we can at least win two games in a row. I'm tired of having my optimism crushed. We probably beat the Titans and then loose to the Rams at home. I sure hope not, but they are going to have to prove otherwise before I can jump on the 10 and 6 bandwagon.
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