The Raiders are at the halfway point of their 2009 campaign with a 2-6 record. Early season optimism has given way to yet another season where the losses mount and the off-field sideshow is in full effect. It is time to hand out grades to the team and the different position groups since eight games gives a good indicator of performance.
(AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Quarterbacks: F
JaMarcus Russell has been nothing short of awful for the vast majority of the season. Not even his two late go-ahead touchdowns early in the season can rise him to a passing grade. He is rated at or near the bottom of nearly every significant category for a quarterback.
Running backs: D+
Darren McFadden was ineffective before he went down for injury. Justin Fargas has shown flashes. Michael Bush has not gotten it going. They are in the bottom third in the league in rushing, despite that being a supposed strength coming into the season. It hasn't helped that the Raiders have been so far out of many of their games, the running game is not an option, but their production has not been there.
Wide Receivers: F
The Raiders wide receivers as a unit have 28 catches. Colts rookie Austin Collie has 30 catches on his own. They have a habit of dropping the few balls that Russell can get in their area. Louis Murphy leads the group with 16 catches which is more than the rest of the corps has combined.
Tight Ends: A-
Zach Miller has been the only consistent offensive threat all season. He signle-handedly has as many catches as the the entire group of wideouts. He has also gained nearly 50 more yards than the entire group. He is also an effective blocker seems to be involved in nearly every big run play.
Offensive line: D
They have been hamstrung by the loss of left guard Robert Gallery, and the shuffling caused by the loss of right tackle Cornell Green. However, they have been both penalty prone. They have not been opening holes in the running game on a consistent basis. They have not been keeping JaMarcus Russell's jersey clean. With Gallery and Green coming back after the bye, this could improve.
Defensive line: C-
The defensive line has taken over a couple of games and ultimately disappeared in other games. They have been extremely inconsistent.
Linebackers: D-
They are not stopping the run, nor are they showing any of their pass coverage that had been apparent in the past. They have been the weakest link on a defense that has tended towards weakness.
Secondary: C-
Nnamdi Asomugha is Nnamdi Asomguha. Other than him, the secondary has been quite mediocre. Teams have been able to move the ball at will through the air. Tyvon Branch has shown some ability as a box tackler. Michael Huff started the season on a tear, but has fallen off as the season has worn on.
Overall: F
The play calling has been atrocious on offense. The offense is bland and predictable. If this is because of Russell's abilities or lack thereof, then he needs to be benched. This team has been blown out of half of their games. They have only scored multiple touchdowns in only one game, which was the opener.
Comments
Give the whole team F's all the way across the board. Never which team will show up for the game. But I will still be at the Cinny game to watch my Raiders. Still have 8 games to go let's see if they can get something done.
Go Raiders!!!!!!!!
Dude - this whole organization top to bottom is the worst in the NFL. Worst Owner, Worst Coach, Worst QB, Worst O line, worst D line and the worst overall personell. Davis can't win because the game has clearly passed him and his ego causes him to stick with the crap he drafts - regardless that the rest of the league thinks the Raiders are a laughing stock.
Raider nation to Al Davis:
You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!
You want the truth? The Team sucks and your teeth are Yellow!
There's the truth!
Tyvon Branch is leading all safeties in the NFL in tackles. Tied for 11th for all defensive players - that's more than "showing some ability". They are having a lousy season but there are some bright spots
Raider fan 1000,
Good point about Tyvon Branch! I think Mario Henderson should get mentioned on the offensive line. Rookie Matt Shaughnessy might be another bright spot as he had 5 tackles and a sack to lead the Raiders on Defense last week. His first start.
Hey They suck,
Gee you just brought us something new to ponder. Dude we have heard it all before. Come up with something new. Yes we know they are a bad team. But I chose to follow the Silver and Black anyway. Do I drink the kool-aid maybe but I will never change colors. I do know that they will be a force in this league again soon. I will be there thinking about all the bashers with a big smile on my face.
Go Raiders!!!!!!
Why do most people think that Cornell Green comming back is going to help. He sucks. Our line is better with Barnesat right tackle.
Branch and Huff have been good. With Mitchell and Eugene on the roster. That will be one position we will not have look into this offseason. Maybe the only one. Oh yea, and tightend.
Kicking game, Seabass and lechner = A
It's sooooo hard being a Raider fan! The team is complete and utter garbage. Thank god for my Yankees!
The Raiders will be in this Hell hole until someone who has only a 3rd of a brain can get rid of Russell, and make Al Davis step down. Davis has lost it, and Russell never had it.
The whole offensive scheme is horrible. That's because it's so dummied down because Russell can't learn even the basic offense. When you have a QB with an I.Q. under 90 what do you expect?
Really the whole team needs to be revamped. What should have happened was Russell to stay in oakland during the bye week and practice. But instead the cowards that be let Him go on to Alabama to eat more. Yes cable can hit women but is to affraid to confront Russell. COWARD!
Russell was not and never will Be a NFL QB. The experts said as much before he was drafted. But no! Davis had to draft Him anyway! Thanks, now you see what a mistake that was? Raiders were set back another 5 years because of it Al! Like we needed another setback.
I hope the move to east LA will bring a better team. cant be worse.
http vote 4 jamarcus dot com
coaching and management = F-
Coaches fighting ability: A
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