Johnnie Lee Higgins is going to be key to the offense's success
Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com
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The Oakland Raiders have been making moves to shore up their porous offensive line by acquiring offensive tackles Khalif Barnes and Erik Pears and center Samson Satele. However, there are still many more questions hanging over the Raiders offense. This is a good start, but there are still areas to address on the offense. Here is a look at the positions on the offense and what needs remain.
JaMarcus Russell is the unquestioned starter at this position. Behind him, the Raiders have Andrew Walter who has been less than stellar in his performances and Bruce Gradkowski that the they signed after the Buccaneers cut him. The Raiders would be wise to add a veteran back up if one should become available at a reasonable cost.
Potential Targets: This hole is best left until after the draft. However, at that time if Byron Leftwitch or Jeff Garcia are available, they would be great guys to have on the bench to work with Russell. They are both solid veterans with starting experience who cold help him hone his craft.
This is the most stable position group on the Raiders. With the young duo of Darren McFadden and Michael Bush the Raiders are set here for years to come. Fullback Oren O'Neal will pave their way. Veteran Justin Fargas who has been the leading rusher for the Raiders for the past two seasons returns to round out a talented group. The Raiders are high on Louis Rankin who spent 08 on the practice squad and also have Marcel Reece as a fullback who was also on the practice squad last season.
Tight end Zach Miller led the team in both catches and receiving yards, and has emerged as one of the best young tight ends in the game. If it wasn't for a late season emergence of Chaz Schilens and Johnnie Lee Higgins, this position would appear to be a wasteland. Javon Walker was hurt for much of last season, and will be returning and hopefully healthy. Beyond those three, they have Arman Shields who was on the injured reserve for all of 2008, Todd Watkins who did not catch a pass in 08, and Jonathan Holland who spent most of the season on the practice squad. The Raiders definitely need some depth at this position badly.
Potential targets: The Raiders could attack this position through the draft with either Micahel Crabtree or Jeremy Maclin in the first round or Hakeem Nicks, Brian Robiskie, or Darius Hayward-Bey in the second round. On the free agent market they could make a move for a solid veteran like Mike Furrey, Torry Holt, or they could go for the former combine wonder in Matt Jones. Of the vets, Jones would seem to have by far the most left in his tank, but the question is whether or not he could stay out of trouble in Oakland.
Offensive line:
Going into the offseason, this was priority one on the offensive side of the ball. The Raiders lost starting center Jake Grove and cut 2008 free agent mistake Kwame Harris. Underachieving right tackle Cornell Green may have gotten his ticket out of town punched with his recent arrest for domestic battery. The Raiders have Mario Henderson returning who played well late in the season at left tackle in relief of Harris. They have added Khalif Barnes and Erik Pears who at least bring competition to the tackle positions. The Raiders also have James Marten and Mark Wilson who will provide depth and competition at tackle. At guard, the Raiders have Robert Gallery who has emerged as one of the top guards. They have the recently resigned Cooper Carlisle at right guard. Paul McQuistan who played well at right tackle in 07 will also be competing for either the right tackle slot or the right guard position. Samson Satele was brought in from Miami to take over for the departed Jake Grove. John Wade and Chris Morris will be pushing for his spot.
Potential targets: If either Eugene Monroe or Michael Oher fall to the Raiders they may just make that pick. Andre Smith's stock plummeted after his poor combine showing and questions about his work ethic. Also, despite the acquisition of Satele, if one of the top centers, either Max Unger or Alex Mack fall to the Raiders at 40, it would not be surprising to see the Raiders make that pick. After making moves on the free agent market for Pears and Barnes, as well as the trade for Satele it is unlikely the Raiders reach further into free agent along the line.
Comments
I like that the raiders are addressing their o-line issues, to have a great offense it starts with the offensive line. Hopefully they will upgrade the defensive line as well.
I think the reciever core is underestimated big time! Maybe add one verteran for depth, the roster limit is 53 not 63. Chaz is good enough to start all year. And Javon and JLH can compete for the other spot. This is the least of needs as far as im concerned. Go oline or/and defense in the draft. We want to win a championship not sell out a stadium! DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE!!!
I disagree Tyler. What so many people are ignoring is the competition from the last two games against the Texans/Bucs. Their DB's are not all that good, which is why you saw better production from Schilens/Higgins.
If Crabtree falls, we need to pick him up. Not only is he a complete WR, he complements the speed of Schilens, Higgins, and Shields. Plus, he can covert 3rd downs and move the chains. An area the team lacks
I would love to see Matt Jones brought in for a vet min contract. low risk/high reward.
I agree with Tyler, i think that Schilens and JLH can produce some good numbers next season, especially JLH his speed in INSANE. I am excited that AL Davis is doing something right for once, and not going after all the FA's and getting alot of "busts" like DeAngelo Hall and Javon Walker, we got some decent, not great but decent lineman that can help solidiphy the run and pass. I think we draft B.J Raji, if he's still there, and if not take Brian Orakpo, trade up for either Unger or Mack, and then get Nicks, if we do that, here we come AFC WEST!!!!!!
Move kelly back to de. He failed at Dt. He doesn't need to be freed up! He needs to go back where he made an impact (mostly would help the run defense). and bring in Raji and tank johnson. Finally we can bench Sands. Then we can have trevor scott come in on passing downs. So stupid to bring Satele in. We could have used those picks to trade up for Mack. So Stop saying we got a steal when in reality we lost wilson for this guy with some draft picks. We can't turn it around as long as we have sands and and a de playing DT. 31st in the league against the run. With the loss of our second leading tackler expect it to be worse if we don't get Raji. So keep Crabtree when the other team averages over 6 yards a run.
Wow Nick, you need to chill. Picking up satele was a great move by the raiders because you never know how a college player will perform at the pro level, including Mack. Satele is a zone blocking center who we have a much better idea of what kind of pro player he is, which is a good one. Secondly, if Crabtree is there, we should definately take him. He is a great value at 7 and would take care of one of our bigger needs. Nose tackle is also a big need, but you can't pass on a playmaker in Crabtree. Give Kelly a chance too. It was his first year at the position and he was coming off major surgery.
I gotta agree on taking a look at Garcia if he would be willing to be a back up. Russell could learn alot from a seasoned veteran. The teachers he has had for pointers and advice so far off the bench are Walter and Teuasisopo( I have no idea how to spell his name) Its no wonder he has been coming on a lil slow. Taking a look at Matt Jones might be an idea also. You add a big target for Russell and he is quick. Opening up the #7 pick for Raji.
i agree with vetran back up to teach j-russ i think johnny and chaz can compete for the 2nd and 3rd spots their speed will help out against average corners or linebackers i think we need to take crabtree in the draft he has great body control has great hands and with j-russ's cannon he just needs to get it around crabtree with the other two those are are big play/deep threat wide recievers i think the o line will be great next season with tom cabble and the o line coach he hired and the acquistions of lt and center which were problem spots and with henderson and mcquiston coming back it shouldnt be a problem d line is the area of work in the second or third rounds select either safty position or de and dt to finsih off the defense which wasnt that bad if you take in that they were out there alot and getting gased after basically 3 straight quarters of playing
Nick, We did get a steal for Satele he is 24 yrs old stronger than Mack quicker than Grove and familiar with the zone blocking scheme of Cable's. All for a 6th Round choice and swap of 4th round picks with Miami. He was a 2nd Round pick 2years ago for a reason. Coming out of Hawaii his 40 yd time and 225 bench reps were superior to that of any C prospect coming out this year! Our O line is good to go with added depth already. I think we should focus on DL or OLB on the first pick Raji or Curry would be good if either fall that far, if not trade the picks to get Philly's 2 first rounders pick up with the #21 Kenny Britt WR or Heyward-Bey, with #28 pick S Louis Delmas Round #2 OLB Clay Mathews Jr. Round #3 Ron Brace DT This would shore up our Run Defense as Delmas has the size/speed combo we need at Safety and Mathewswould start immediately at OLB. In the 3rd Round we could have an instant starter at DT in Ron Brace.
All we need on defense is a run stopper and a little rest time on the sidelines,but we need to fix the ofense so that we can take advantage of our letel wepons like qb,rb,te,and receivers. It all starts with an oline. Simple!
The broncos suck, i couldn't agree more.
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