Oakland Raiders: S&BP Raiders 2008 Player Achievement Awards - Part IV: Offensive Player of the Year

by TheRaiderWay on Mar 31, 2009 2:19 AM PDT

The Silver & Black Pride 2008 Player Achievement Awards continues its series as we move to part IV - Offensive Player of the Year.

The community has made it clear of its choice of Defensive Player of the Year in a resounding landslide, you voted with 76% of the vote: Nnamdi Asomugha.

You have already voted Darren McFadden as your Rookie of the Year and Johnnie Lee Higgins as your Most improved Player of the Year.

In 2008 you could definitely say that the Raiders offense was challenged and left much to be desired. However, what is exciting for the Offensive Player of the Year category is that the four candidates are all very young, exiting and form the core of what will become a dynamic offensive force for the Oakland Raiders for many years to come.

The Candiates are:

JaMarcus Russell

From the moment the 2007 season ended, Russell was anointed the starting job for the 2008 season. JaMarcus definitely went through his share of growing pains during the 2008 campaign while starting 15 games, but he finally seemed to "get it" during the last two games of the year, ending 2008 with a QB rating of 77.1 His stats were pretty decent for what was essentially his rookie season.

Year

Team

Att

Comp

Pct

Yds

Int

Rat

2008

Oak

368

198

53.8

2423

84T

77.1

Zach Miller

The product of Arizona State quickly became a favorite target of quarterback Jamarcus Russell, as the big tight end was usually open when a crucial reception was needed. It would be hard to imagine just how bad the Raider offense would be without Miller as part of it. In fact, Miller in 2008 led all Raiders receivers in receptions and that was with Zach staying in and blocking much of the time due to the Raiders weak offensive line.

Year

Team

Rec

Yds

Avg

Lng

2008

Oak

778

13.9

63T

Johnnie Lee Higgins

In 2008 JLH showed what he could do when he got his hands on the ball, especially on slant routes, when what would appear to be a short gain, JLH would split the seam and take it to the house. Johnnie ended up leading the Raiders wide receivers in receptions and in touch downs.

Year

Team

Rec

Yds

Avg

Lng

2008

Oak

366

16.6

84T

Darren McFadden

The number 4 overall draft pick of the 2008 draft had his season interrupted by various injuries which obviously effected his stats, but nevertheless McFadden always made his presence felt on the field. McFadden, in limited play, still put up some decent stats and proved to be a threat running and catching the ball.

Rushing
Year	Team	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
2008	Oak	113	499	8.7	50	4

Receiving
Year	Team	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
2008	Oak	29	285	9.8	27	0

Alright S&BP Community! Who is your 2008 Offensive Player of the Year?

Up next: Most Valuable Player

Poll

The Oakland Raiders Offensive Player of the Year is:

JaMarcus Russell

63 votes

Zach Miller

532 votes

Johnnie Lee Higgins

141 votes

Darren McFadden

58 votes

Other player (write your choice in the comment section)

20 votes

814 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

RaiderWay

Is there a separate category for special teams player of the year? I haven’t voted yet, but its down between Miller and Higgins. If there isn’t a STPOY category, Higgins’ contribution on punt returns needs to be taken into consideration.

Dream Drafts:
Michael Crabtree, Ron Brace?, Chip Vaughn, Lawrence Sidbury
Brian Orakpo, Brian Robiskie, Jasper Brinkley, DT

by LiveAdam on Mar 31, 2009 8:04 AM PDT reply actions

STPOY

When I started this series I had thought about it but there were already five categories. However, since the Raiders special teams was so dynamic in 2008, I will do it next and before the MVP. So consider Higgins just for his performance on offense.

Your team is your child...You love it no matter what.

by TheRaiderWay on Mar 31, 2009 8:28 AM PDT up reply actions

In That Case

The vote is easily for Zach Miller. Leader in catches and yardage, most consistent receiver, and an amazing team player. Future Pro Bowler.

Dream Drafts:
Michael Crabtree, Ron Brace?, Chip Vaughn, Lawrence Sidbury
Brian Orakpo, Brian Robiskie, Jasper Brinkley, DT

by LiveAdam on Mar 31, 2009 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Zach Miller

I think that he would be a good chioce. He has always produced at a high level one of the best reciver we have and maybe one of the top TE in the league as well i am happy that Jamarcus has a go to guy with Miller.

"We want to Win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it,even my organization deserves it. You have to Win and Win with a vision of the Super Bowl. That's our passion here"- Mr. Davis

by nishal26 on Mar 31, 2009 8:35 AM PDT reply actions

again, Zach Miller

I have waited many years for the quality of tight end that Miller is. Remember the Dudley flop? He time and time again has shown he is a go to guy even with this offense and its lack of options shown the past season. Virtually no production outside. A good, yet banged up running game week to week. Pass protection has been weak causing Miller to stay in and assist in the blocking. Yet he still gets over 50 catches?
In my book, what do you think would happen if we had the better pass protection, a healthy running game, and more production from the wide receivers? What type of options would Zach Miller give us then if he is not the only pass threat out on the field?
I see good things from him over the next few years and made the 07 draft class well worth it, even if JR does not hit his full potential.

looking forward to the next 30 years of this team

by 30yearR8RFan on Mar 31, 2009 8:58 AM PDT reply actions

Nicely put.

If only we had more options. Like whitten in dallas when TO was getting all the attention. You know its bad when number 20 and number 2 are possibilities for offensive player of the year !! Im hoping i never have to say that again, because either two could be without a doubt the offensive player of the year this coming season, and not just on the raiders.

by oc_raider on Mar 31, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions

has to be Miller

he’s the next great Raiders TE and it showed last year. needs some better talent around him to take the focus off him.

V- "I'm not questioning your powers of observation. I'm merely remarking on the paradox of asking a masked man who he is."

by KA1Z3R on Mar 31, 2009 2:05 PM PDT reply actions

He really is a Great TE someone who I would like to learn from

by nishal26 on Mar 31, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions

He really is a Great TE someone who I would like to learn from

by nishal26 on Mar 31, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions

OPoY?

look at the numbers. none really approach such an award. I give it to Gallery or the O-Line as a unit. without the blocking up front nobody wins.

by blackhawk bill on Apr 1, 2009 5:53 PM PDT reply actions

and...

that is why we won 5 games

looking forward to the next 30 years of this team

by 30yearR8RFan on Apr 3, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Mario Henderson, Chaz Schilens, and Robert Gallery...Tough Choice

Henderson made a big difference in pass protection
Gallery lead the way on nearly all of our best running plays this year
Schilens raised the bar in the receiving game by actually catching nearly everything within his arms reach especially on critical downs. My vote goes to any of the 3 above.

by RaiderTexas on Apr 3, 2009 6:46 PM PDT reply actions

J Higgins UTEP

Well me being from El Paso a proud UTEP MIners supporter I think Higgins is the best upcoming under rated player for the raiders. With tha ability he has to make the big plays tom cable should use this ex miner more.GO UTEP MINERS!!!!!!!

Die Hard Raider Fan

by ept diehardraider on Apr 4, 2009 1:05 PM PDT reply actions

Rockets tickets

They deserved S&BP Raiders 2008 Player Achievement Awards – Part IV: Offensive Player of the Year. They constantly play well in this season so again they have chance to get again.
Rockets tickets

by Houstonrockets on Apr 14, 2009 4:10 AM PDT reply actions