Silver and Black Pride's Sunday Community Poll

by TheRaiderWay on Apr 12, 2009 5:31 AM PDT Comment 15 comments

It is not just a coincidence that the last time that the Oakland Raiders made the playoffs, six years ago in 2002 was also the last time that they had a skill positioned offensive player named to the Pro Bowl. Those players were none other than Rich Gannon and Jerry Rice. Having a skilled position player on offense make it to the Pro Bowl does not guarantee a playoff birth, but it certainly increases the chances, as that has been a glaring omission of the Raiders offense since 2002.

The six years following, the Raiders have variably produced only Shane Lechler, Derrick Burgess and Nnamdi Asomugha to the Pro Bowl.

In order for the Raiders to take it to the next level and break their string of missing the playoffs, they are going to have to get some of their skill position offensive players to play at a Pro Bowl level. Sure, defense wins championships, but the offense has to get you there. And yes, a Pro Bowl offensive linemen or two would certainly increase the Raiders chances for the playoffs. However, with the ZBS, the Raiders offensive line is more about scheme and play of the overall unit rather than individual skill.

That being said, the Raiders have a young and promising core of skill position players on offense in Jamarcus Russell, Darren McFadden, Michael Bush, Zach Miller, Chaz Schilens and Johnnie Lee Higgins. One or more of those players, at least, will have to raise their level of play to the Pro Bowl level if the Raiders hope to break out of their playoff slump and get the team to the playoffs in 2009.

Poll

In 2009, will a skill position player for the Raiders offense be named to the Pro Bowl?

Yes

283 votes

No

103 votes

386 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

it'll either be

McFadden at RB if he gets 1000 yards and quite a few receiving yards, Miller at TE if he gets a few more yards and touchdowns, or Gallery if he keeps elevating his play.

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 Apr 12, 2009 6:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I want to

Say that JR is going to make it, but I think he has one more year before a pro-bowl season. McFadden is very talented, and if he stays healthy it will make him a candidate, but I would have to say that if anyone is going to go from the offense, it would have to be Miller. Miller is one of the few bright spots, and is one of the best TE that we’ve had since Doug Jolley and Ricky Dudley. I think he’ll be a multiple pro-bowl TE on this squad.

I like to believe my best HITS border on Felonious ASSAULT
-Jack Tatum

by DarksideJU08 on Apr 12, 2009 7:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

2009, the year of improvement

McFadden will go if he gets 1000 yards on the ground and close to that in the air. 10+ TD’s won’t hurt his chances.
Gallery will go if the line is improved and stays healthy (he must continue upgrading his play).
With better protection, a good running game, and growing wide receivers, this could be Zack Millers year. 75+ catches double digit touchdowns and 1000 yards get him in and Raiderfans going back way before Jolley/Dudley (whom I list were okay at best). Think Christiansen or Casper.
Russell is another year or two out as the QB’s selected usually are playing in the Superbowl anyway. Not to mention with the talent of Big Ben, Manning, Brady, and Rivers that is a big one year hurdle to be going to Hawaii.

looking forward to the next 30 years of this team

by 30yearR8RFan on Apr 12, 2009 10:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If It Has To Be Anyone

It would be Miller. Consistency is the reason I believe he will get there. Every year, he has gotten better. He has improved his blocking and his catching over the years. Additionally, he possesses some impressive speed for a TE. (Chargers Game TD)

Police Fucking Hate Me, Trying To Relocate Me To LA, But Like The Raiders, I' ma Bring It Back To The Bay! - Nump

by Rayder K on Apr 12, 2009 10:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

Miller has the best chance of any of the offensive skill players of making the Pro Bowl. Last season Tony Gonzalez (96 rec, 1,058 yds, 10 TD), Owen Daniels (70 rec, 862 yds, 2 TD), and Antonio Gates (60, 704 yds, 8 TD) represented the AFC in the Pro Bowl. Miller’s numbers (56, 778yds, 1 TD) aren’t that far off from reservists Daniels and Gates, and if the passing game can be more in sync for a whole year I think Miller will have at least 5 TDs next season. Miller was Russell’s favorite target last season, and if he doesn’t have to help in pass protection as much next season he could have a breakout year.

Most Likely Draft: I don't even know anymore.

by LiveAdam on Apr 12, 2009 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Skill Player?

Do you just mean offensive player? Cause The Awesome one and Lechler both have a very good chance of going back. And like everyone else I would have to say Miller would be the next person. I doubt any of our RBs will make it because we have three that we will be constantly rotating and we haven’t seen what D-Mac can do when he stays healthy. However, If Bush has a 177 yard rushing day every game then who knows.

Just HIT somebody.

by SBcitizen on Apr 12, 2009 10:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I would

go with Mcfadden because he just gave us a little taste of his true ability as a RB in week 2 vs Cheifs. Consistency is what he will need to make it to the pro bowl like miller but, there is no reason he shouldn’t be able to go.

"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 Apr 12, 2009 11:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Consistency is the Word of the Season for all Raiders

Just HIT somebody.

by SBcitizen on Apr 12, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Or selfless

by nishal26 on Apr 12, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1 to that SB

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 Apr 12, 2009 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kids, The Word of the Day is...

Consistency!

I like to believe my best HITS border on Felonious ASSAULT
-Jack Tatum

by DarksideJU08 on Apr 12, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

lol!!!

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 Apr 12, 2009 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey

I was the one who mentioned consistency. I should get rec’d. Sniff Sniff. JK I ain’t trippin.

Police Fucking Hate Me, Trying To Relocate Me To LA, But Like The Raiders, I' ma Bring It Back To The Bay! - Nump

by Rayder K on Apr 12, 2009 9:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

eh, pro bowlers become pro bowlers

when they’re on good teams.

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Apr 12, 2009 9:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not always.

But at least it’s not like the MLB, where EVERY team has to be represented. . .

“Well, the Lions have… um… they have uh….Oh….hmm….”

Kings fan? A's Fan?! Al Davis Run Raiders Fan?!!?!! ANNNND you're sacrificing 2 years of your life because you're LDS?!!?!?!?!?! Yeah, Masochist is the new sexy.

by killerking on Apr 14, 2009 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs