Raiders Finally on the Right Track...

I do agree that this organization is finally going in the right direction with a young coach running the personnel now and not some old coot that has no clue what he's doing anymore. But, the Raiders still do not have an offensive line, and I still expect them to win 4 or 5 total games next year. But, they finally have the team turned around, and they should be serious contenders and not laughing stocks in 2 or 3 years, pending that Russell pans out and that they get the offensive line support that is desperately needed.

 

That was actually a really good article. Great read.

I think the Raiders are like the Jets were last year to a "T." They have a young football-minded coach with the experience and the know-how to get what he wants. They have a blank canvass with all the necessary personell they need to get the ball in the end zone. They had a great draft, adding depth at every position they were having trouble with. No one's job is safe and everyone must compete. The foundation is there in Oakland, they really just needed this draft and this coach to make it happen.

I think they'll pull out at least 6 -8 victories in a rebuilding year. Then next year's draft will be like ours this year - focused on filling the voids that this year showed after rebuilding.

 

Thought outside the box? :lol: I thought he picked Kiffen because he was two steps from bringing in Whoopi Goldberg as coach. :breakdance:

 

lmao.... "another good response"... :up: I like you Raider guys.

 

:breakdance: I wouldn't put it past Herm.

On a more serious note... you may have found a good prospect to coach this team. The one thing that remains a constant is Davis' ability to wreck things. If he can keep his fingers out of the stew maybe some good can come of things. But so long as the resident mad genius is at play I don't see you guys rising too far.

 

In all honesty as much as I despise the Raiders, in 2-3 years they will be a force high up in the AFC. I can definitely see .500 this year if Kiffin is all he's cracked up to be and Russell pans out. They had an excellent draft this year and got a lot of guys in later rounds who I would have wanted with the Jets (not that I didn't like the Jets' draft). I think the OL needs to get better overall, although they did show some signs last year. If I were Davis, I'd go into next year's free agency period and draft looking for as much OL help as possible. I'm not too sure about the WR corps either but there's a deep enough pool in camp for them for at least a few guys other than Porter to stand out.

As Warhound said, they're eerily similar to us going into last year although I personally think we had a better O going in while they have a better D going into this year.

 

Adam Schein is probably a real nice kid, but I'd sooner trust a post from someone like Green Hurricane or Kurt on this or any other football issue.

The Raiders were picking at the top of the draft, and every round thereafter. Screwing that up is news. Picking the best talent on the board at the point where it is always easiest, well, you'll excuse me if I won't start pasting stickers on Crazy Al's forehead any time soon.

Lane Kiffin is interesting to me. He cut his coaching teeth under Pete Carroll, which tells me that he learned in a system that has proved failing in the NFL. On the other hand, he played and first coached under Pat Hill and the Belichick system, much as Eric Mangini. Add to that the days he stood by his Dad's side and watched yet another style and system, and I'm just curious as all hell to see what comes out. I'm guessing failure; but that speaks more to the Raiders organization than my predictions on Kiffin's coaching style.

 

Hmph. . . funny how correct I was with that one. My ability to identify aptitude in football scribes seems uncanny!

 

I think your going to be wrong on Oline. Raiders coaching staff showed how much confidence they have in Oline, by not drafting anyone that going to help next year in draft.(They addressed their needs in freeagency) targeted guys who have played in zone blocking system.(jeremy Newberry, Cooper carlise, Ben Claxton, and Cornel green. Made the transition alot smoothier- going from a man on man blocking scheme, to a zone blocking scheme. helps brings the others on olineman up to speed quicker.

Tom Cable(longtime Alex Gibbs disciple)
and Alex gibbs(unofficial) who Kirwan reported(long time friend of kiffin) will be working with Raiders olineman this offseason. Alex gibbs only works parttime these days, but there is a reason he gets paid very very big bucks. He built Denver olines and he did it with late day draft choices. There is some high draft choices on the line he has to work with.(done it with alot less)

Another big reason why raiders oline will be alot more sucessful is that offensive system (hybrid WCO) is very oline friendly. Out are seven step drops by the QB. In is more three step drops by Qb. Out is Raiders rarely throwing to RBs, In Is RBs being heavily involved in the offense. Half of all the passes will be to the Rbs(L jordan , D rhodes, FB Justin griffith and Micheal bush) OUt Is Raiders having Bulked up Wrs playing Te. In is some serious blocking tes(Zach miller best allround te in this draft) Tony stewart and Fred wakefield. Raiders have alot more mobility at Qb this year(Josh Mcnown and Jamarcus russell)

Josh Mcnown going to supprise alot of people this year, but at some point expect Raiders do go with Russell. How long will it take him. When hes ready than expect the Raiders to be serious contenders.

 

I stopped reading right here...

You've been saying that the last 4 years.

Anyway, it is a good article and Davis would be wise to let Kiffin gain more control.

 

Just like you didn't believe about the defense. This year defense has been seriously upgraded and will be alot better. Raiders problems on offense was very bad coaching(was against shell hiring) This year everyone will find out just how right I was . Raiders do have some serious talent on offense.

 

Here's the way I feel about the Raiders:

- Defense: They have a great DC and most likely the best young back 7 in football. Great speed, size and ability to flow to the ball. I do see a lack of a big time pass rusher.. Brayton and Sapp are feisty and can occassionally make a good push...but no one strikes major fear into the OL...and they usually need to blitz to maintain any major pressure. A stud pass rusher may put this Defense over the top talent wise.

Also, despite all the young talent, they sorely lack veteran leadership.I was at the Jets- Raiders game in December and that D showed no pride, clutch ability or purpose throughout the entire 2nd half, and I saw the same things at many different stretches in their season.

A guy like Schwiegert or Morrison may turn out to be great leaders down the road..but I truly believe that all that young talent needs a graybeard mentor to kind of help them to continue to gain chemistry and to take the next step as a defense. You can make an arguement that Sapp is that player..but I just don't see it..

- Offense: Any football fan can appreciate Jamarcus Russell's talent. There's no sense in arguing his arm strength, accuracy or potential...the sky's the limit. What I do question is giving up so quickly on Andrew Walter when he had virtually no OL, a banged up backfield, and the most disgruntled/unmotivated WR corps in NFL history.

W/ that said, if Russell is the BPA at # 1, you don't pass on him and by all means you make him the face of your franchise. But this simply wasn't the case. Calvin Johnson was clearly the BPA....and if the plan was to trade Randy Moss, it made perfect sense to pass on Russell, Draft Johnson, and see what Walter could do a (hopefully) improved OL, and a more sound corps around him.

I don't see a true playmaking threat on offense. If Jordan sticks around he's a solid RB, and if Porter sticks around he's a solid # 2 WR..but there are no home run hitters to support Russell. This clearly needs addressing.

In terms of the OL, IMO the switch to the zone blocking scheme is a wise one. This is the scheme that made Gallery successful at Iowa, and also fits the running style of Jordan. I also like the Newberry pick up. Before he had serious injury problems he was a pro bowl center. W/ that said, this OL'S biggest problem is pass protection. Frankly, whether you play zone or man-up, in pass protection, if you don't have the talent it is irregardless. Gallery is still your LT,and pass protection is his biggest weakness. He does not show proper knee bend, he lacks aggressive arm extension and is way too tentative off the snap. If your blindside tackle's biggest weakness is pass protection, you have serious OL issues.


I see a team that has alot of holes on offense, and that lacks depth and leadership on defense. It is clear this team is ging to be uilt around the quality back 7, and Russell's deep passing ability. But before that can take place, A pass rusher must be brought in, and a quality Ol and legit deep threads need to be addressed via FA or the draft.

 

Lack OF BIg time pass rusher. Are you kidding me. Derrick Burgess has been the biggest FA steal of alltime(How many sacks has he had the last two years) amazing amount of sacks he and Sapp had last year with teams throwing so few times. Kevin Huntley is a Young stud that will make his mark this year. (opposite burgess) Giants tried to sign him, but he signed with raiders two years ago, because Giants were loaded at De. He showed his potential down the stretch, and he's
Ready this year to crack starting lineup. Raiders drafted Q Moses who was rated coming into this year- the best defensive player in college by blesto.(scouting service used by NFL) Defenses paid him alot of attention last year and he didn't do as well. Q Moses coming to best situation with Raiders, as he has one best Dline coaches in the game -Keith Milliard. K Milliard has developed some
of the best passrushers -betrand Berry , Reggie hayward and D burgess to name a few. not to Mention, Raiders have alot of guys that can get to QB. Hes very nice insutrance if Burgess was lost to injury.
Tom Kelly presence was a big part why Sapp and burgess had as many sacks as they did. T Sands moves into starting lineup at one of Dts position.
Raiders are very deep on defense and there are going to be alot of players that they cut, playing for teams next year.

Raiders are making changes to back seven. Looks like schweigert might be the odd man out.( going to have to raise his game to keep his job) Looks like kiffen wants a Intimindator at Ss. (someone to knock the snott out of reciever) Darnel Bing / Eric Frampton will probaly play near the line of scrimmage(help against the run) and M Huff will move to FS.(size is better suited for) Than on obvious passing downs they will bring in even more speed. sapp lost 49 pounds from last year and in best shape of his career. JMO I think hes used just as situational pass rusher.

Your underating raiders offense. Raiders get their two best Wrs back this year. J Porter didn't get along with Shell and was benched for whole year. R curry Raiders just were being careful after coming back from achilles tear. His leg should be alot stronger and should regain his explovesiness back.
Curry game is ability to cut on a dime as he seperates from defenders quicker than any of their wrs.
Zach miller is best allround Te Raiders have had in sometime.(watch what he does for offense) J Porter and r curry have played very well in WCO offense.
J Porter is going to have a monster year because he can be a freeagent next year. Hes playing for a contract. He can do it all, go Over the middle or go deep.
champ bailey has called Porter oner of the best Wr he has faced.
J Morant 6'4 220 4.4 Bigger Jerry Porter clone.( both him and Porter can get deep and are nice targets over the3 middle) Mike williams 6'5 235 will be alot better fit in raiders offense.( curry and williams willwork underneath stuff) John Madsen 6'5 235(love this kid potential and wil be second te) can't wait to see what madsen and miller do in two Te formations.

Doug Gabriel has talent but might be odd man out(might not have discpline for kiffins offense). Raiders always have speed at Wr Lets see carlos francis 5'10 190-fastest Wr at combine a couple years ago. Johnny Lee Higgins(more puntreturner initial) , Will Buchanon 6'3 185 fastest player at USC including R bush, Opened alot of eyes in training camp last year. John Bowie 5'11 190( talks is they are going to look at speedster at WR- was a cb.


Here what you are missing with Rbs. Kiffins uses them alot not only in running game ,but heavily in passing attack. D rhodes, L jordan, J Fargas, Mike Bush and FB Justin griffith can all catch the ball.
There was a reason Raiders signed D rhodes and Justin Griffith in Fa. Kiffen told Rhodes he will be used like Reggie Bush was at USC .Watch how many balls the backfield will catch next year.

I love andrew Walter game and he probably didn't get a fair shake. In kiffin offense he wants a Qb with mobility. Josh Mcnown(has very good chance to be starter) and jamarcus Russell can throw very well on the run.and are better fits for his offense. A Walter can be a nice trade option down the road.

Raiders offense has weapons on offense, but its all up to oline.
Gallery and B sims( was starting LT when Raiders went to superbowl and played very well in WCO) will compete at LT and loser will play rt. Raiders Oline might look like this LT Barry sims (only very elite passrushers you had to give him help in WCO) LG cooper Carlise(denver Olineman knows blocking scheme)/ Mcquistan c Jeremy Newberry( says leg in best shape) Rg Kevin boothe(cornel Grad supposedly in best shape) Rt Robert gallery. Raiders oline has alot of speed and athlethism to cut block.
Lets see if Both Cable and Gibbs reputation is as good as advertised. Kiffin putting alot of faith in them.

 

That sounds exactly like the whimpy ultra-conservative trash we sent out there under Hackass years ago.

 

Have you watched USc games over the years. I don't think anyone would call there offense whimpy conservative trash. They just spread a defense out . C Pennington throwing majority of passes five yards or less is excitement. I think Jets are going to have to change their approach as opposing defense will play them alot diffrent this year.