No position on the Oakland Raiders was more inconsistant thn the wide receivers. Through much of the seaason, it was rare to see any production from the position. However, in the last few games the youthful tandem of Johnnie Lee Higgins and Chaz Schilens both stepped up and showed production. The veterans starting tandem of Javon Walker and Ronald Curry both greatly underachieved. The late free agent acquisition Ashley Lelie was invisable in any game not involving Denver.
Johnnie Lee Higgins led wide wide receivers in catches with 22, yards with 366, and touchdowns with 4. Those are sorry statistics for a leading receiver. Considering that Higgins amassed most of those statistics in the last few games, as the Raiders offense started to find a stride it begs the question of what his stat line would look like if he had been utulized for the majority of the season. The second leading wide receiver in catches was team captain Ronald Curry who was benched for several games. He had 19 catches, and he ranked 4th in receiving yardage in that crew.
Overall, the wide receiving corps needs to have an overhaul to give JaMarcus Russell the threats that he needs. Here is a look at the wide receivers:
Johnnie Lee Higgins-Higgins recovered from a rough start to emerge as a playmaker as a receiver and returner. He led the team in touchdowns with seven. (Four receiving, three punt returns) His emergence late in the season finally gave the Raiders passing game some spark. Considering that he is a second year player, he shoud get even better with experience. KEEP
Ronald Curry-Curry has been a great story overcoming injuries and coming back to play at a high level, however he seems to have lost his touch. 2008 was the second season where he had problems with holding on to the ball. He was benched mid-season, but came back to have his best game of the season when pressed back into service. He was expected to contribute more than 19 catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns. He has expressed his desire to move on, which seems like the best option for both involved. BYE
Chaz Schilens-Schilens was a graet find for the Raiders as a seventh round pick. He had a magnificant preseason,and worked his way into the starting lineup before sustaining an injury. He has shown flashes of being a reliable receiver. He has the potential to be a real threat in the receiving game, but he is not there yet. He is a definite piece to the puzzle, especially considering that it appears that he is building chemistry with Russell. KEEP
Javon Walker-Walker has been a horrid free agent signing. The problems emerged even before training camp when he was foudn unconsious in a Las Vegas alley. During training camp he wanted to retire, but Al Davis talked him out of it. Injuries had him off to a slow start and ended his season early. He finished with only 15 grabs for 196 yards and a touchdown. Becuase of the size of his signing bonus he may be impossible to cut, but he really needs to be gone. BYE
Ashley Lelie-Lelie was a late acquisition who was invisable for most of the season.He had one good game, as he was a part of the Raiders destruction of Denver at Mile High. He should be let go at the end of the season. BYE
Todd Watkins & Arman Shields- Watkins saw little action throughout the season. He had zero catches. He showed some potential in the preseason, but did not get many opportunites during the season. Shields only saw action in the fourth preseason game, but spent the year on the injured reserve. He was a fourth round pick. These two will be cheap to keep around and take a look at next year, but neither have shown they are much of an answer. KEEP
This is going to be a position that the Raiders need to do a lot of work on over the offseason. They have a budding star in Johnnie Lee Higgins, and a potential player in Schilens, but they need to bring in more threats. Russell needs reliable targets, and most of this group does not even come close.
Comments
javon walker has BEEN gone. THE END
Nothing short of pathetic anybody would say looking at those numbers.
And here we were saying that "Higgins is a bust" and "why wasnt he released in the first cuts"! We can only hope that he matures into a better player.
Walker and Curry seem to be on their ways out of Alameda. I have to wonder why Watkins didnt start knowing all that hype he was getting camp. Shields was a waste of a pick unless he can prove everyone wrong. We could have gotten someone for a position more vacant than at WR in the 4th round, thst for sure.
We need consistency at coaching but I am not sure if Cable is the way to go...
Keep up the good work Pat as always!
What about Drew Carter?
Right now our receiving corp does not put fear into opposing defenses. I agree that Ronald Curry and Ashley Lelie should be cut. But, we have to calm down a bit about Chazz and Johnnie Lee. I see Johnnie as a All-Pro punt returner. Chazz can possibly a number two receiver. So obviously, we need depth and experience at this position. Lastly, let's remember, Drew Carter has had to many knee injuries and less production in his career. Nation-wide and league wide, money is tight so trim the fat.
Javon's pathetic preformance last season is due to the hugh amount of guilt he is carring around after allowing innocent people to be blamed for his poor judgement back in June...it's called karma!!!
I don't know about Watkins. He seems the part but I've heard he is a sloppy route runner & his recognition skills are left wanting. Of course the Raiders need a veteran to step in.
If Tampa Bay doesn't franchise Antonio bryant he could be the answer. Hopefully Armond shields, the much heralded (& IR'red) fourth round pick from 2008 can pull a Michael Bush & the Raiders can concentrate on other positions in the upcoming college entry draft. Of course the Raiders would be remiss not to @ least consider one of the potential draft hopefulls. I like Louis Murphy of Florida as a long term developmental pick. And Pat White, late of QB fame from West Virginia would serve as an intriguing pickup.
If Russell doesn't have time it will not matter who stands in the W/r's position. Last year on third down and distance Russell would take the snap and run for his life. Henderson during the last part of the season showed improvedment, but the rest of the line still couldn't execute, especially on pass blocking assignments. If the Raiders don't address the o/line nothing will change on offense. Three and out, has everyone forgotten????? I hope they select o/lineman before even considering w/r's because once the o/line is improved they have to direct their attention to the d/line (not w/r) because d/line was as bad as the o/line. Everything is based on execution of the d/line for the l/b's and secondary to play their position correctly. When everyone on defense has to cheat to help stop the run it weakens all part of the defense. This is not a new problem and everyone knew it, but nothing has been done to improve either line. So far it appears offensive lineman are more abundant then defenive lineman at the combine, but the draft is a roll of the dice for Raiders fans based on our recent past history. I think all Raider fans have learned to watch the draft with a wait and see attitude. If we could just find a couple of offensive lineman it would change the offensive side of the ball. Consequently, Wilson, Walker, Edwards, Wade, and Carter hurt our cap and we are paying for it this year. Big money with little return. I think all of us enjoy Coach Cables attitude to play the young players to see what has instead of the inconsistent players we used in prior years. They benching of Huff and Harris finally started to show a different side of Cable that we haven't seen in past coaches. It appeared that he had the attitude if he was going to lose he may as well go down with a younger roster and see what he had. Our weakest position is o/line and Cable best understanding is the o/line, so it should make a difference if he can just find a couple of players to improve it so it becomes a competitive position instead of a complacent group of players. If Al continues to draft tracks stars, D/B's and measurement players we will not improve. We will have an understanding in the first three rounds the direction he has chosen for the team and the future.
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