Wide receiver a position of concern for the Oakland Raiders

January 3, 11:16 PMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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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.