Offseason analysis:

by raiderrocker18 on Apr 7, 2009 11:58 PM PDT Comment 34 comments

I'm going to break this post into a couple of segments.

a) Raider's offseason moves

b) division rivals' offseason moves

c) upcoming draft

The quickest way for a team to improve is through Free Agency.

The Raiders losses were Ronald Curry, Kwame Harris, Gibril Wilson, Justin Griffith, and Kalimba Edwards. Curry has been an average receiver at best, and his hands have been terrible the past couple of years. A lot of potential that never came through. I'm not losing sleep over this loss. Kwame Harris was beyond aweful. I missed Barry Sims. NFL false start leaders in only 11 starts. A lot of holds, a lot of sacks. Good riddance. Gibril Wilson - ya, this one hurts. It hurts bad. As if our safeties weren't bad enough, we lost our only good one. Sure, he's not spectacular against the pass, but he did end up with 2 picks. 134 tackles (most in NFL by anybody other than a linebacker) and a safety showed how valuable he was against the run. Only polamalu is better against the run than this guy. Kalimba Edwards - yawn. started off strong, but faded, just like he's been his whole career. Justin Griffith - was ineffective as a lead blocker, and a healthy Oren O'neal should do just fine instead of this guy.

We lost Jake Grove but replaced him with Samson Satele, who should have near identical effectiveness in our zone-blocking scheme. A lot cheaper, too. Kwame Harris was replaced with Khalif Barnes. He and Mario Henderson will compete for the LT spot, and the loser wil play right. Barnes had an off year, and Henderson finished really strong at LT.

We also got Erik Pears, who will back up both tackle spots. He started at tackle for the donkeys. We were able to retain Nnamdi Asomugha, Chris Johnson, Shane Lechler, Jon Alston (special teams), Justin Miller, and Ricky Brown. I'm not too high on Brown, but the rest are pretty darn good. Now they got Jeff Garcia. Im not too happy about this move. Grant it, he's a hell of a qb and is now the best backup in the NFL, but if Russell is entrentched as the starter, we didnt really need this guy. How much he's getting paid, we don't know, but i hope its no more than 3 mil.

Overall, the team looks the saem everywhere except on the O-line, where there has been a lot of improvement. Our team lacks safeties, defensive linemen, and wide receivers.

The Broncos are in a huge mess. They don't have a starting running back, and will have a huge committee with a bunch of sub-par backs. They have Kyle Orton as qb, unless they draft one. Either way, don't expect much qb play. Their defense hasn't improved much at all. Dawkins is amazing, but he is old and overpayed. The franchise is going backwards.

The Chiefs are the chiefs. Matt Cassell should be an improvement, but they still need a better running back (as LJ is likely to go, and wans't playing that good anyway), and there defense is still the worst in the division.

The Chargers payed big bucks to keep Sproles, and shouldn't be much better than last year. They lost a starter on the o-line and the d-line, though Merriman will be back. They look to go 8-8 or 9-7 again.

The division is very much up for grabs.

Draft:

The raiders can go in a few directions. They can go with Crabtree, to give Russell a go to guy. You can't go wrong with the crab-man, and he's the closest to a sure-fire prospect. They can go with Orakpo, who will be an all around d-lineman. He can rush the passer from the outside, or bullrush up the guy. He is also great against the run for a DE. A freak athlete with size, strength, and speed. They can go o-line, probably with Andre Smith. Keep Henderson on the bench, and start Smith and Barnes on the line. That would be pretty solid. The other option is BJ Raji. A nose tackle who can easily fit on the 3-4 OR the 4-3. He alone could help our horrible rushing defense. He has a bit of a passrush and is more of a Vince Wilfork, run clogger than anything.

I am on the Raji train, and hoping we can land a receiver like Heyward-Bey, Hakeem Nicks, or Ramses Barden in the second.

This team wont go 12-4 or anything, but 9-7 (best case scenario) just might be good enough to squeak in front of the bolts.

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nice post...

that pretty much sums things up. However, I do like the Garcia signing. I agree that I hope it wasnt for that much. But he brings a work ethic that will hopefully rub off on J-russ. Plus if j-russ falters, I think Garcia can come in and create a little bit of a spark. He is a completely different qb that will keep teams off balance. Definately an upgrade over walters and gradowski.

I am on the crabtree bus, but I like your draft analysis. The only reason I like crabtree is because I think he would be the best player on the board at #7 and I think he is way better than any of the other WR in the draft. However, if he isnt there at 7, your other picks should help us out. The only thing I am worried about is if a wb is not selected in the first 6 picks. Then we are probably stuck with someone like maclin (who im not too high on.)

by gl12ox05 on Apr 8, 2009 8:25 AM PDT reply actions

I Believe

Garcia will have his own playbook. He will have certain plays and J-Mac will have the rest of the playbook. This will keep the defense confused and should be an advantage for us.

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 8, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't know about the Chiefs

Defense being the worst in the Division. They might be an improvement from last year since they added Vrabel. I would have to say if anything that Denver and their defense is the worst, but that’s just my opinion.

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

by DarksideJU08 on Apr 8, 2009 9:38 AM PDT reply actions

by the way nice post!!

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

by DarksideJU08 on Apr 8, 2009 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm kind of worried about the Broncos and Chargers

Chiefs are going to be better than last year but, no where near us or winning the division. The Broncos did lose Jay Cutler who I think is a good QB but, they have a lot of good draft picks not to mention that they have made some improvements with their defense. The Chargers have some how found Darren Sproles who is amazing and Merriman is also back for them, so for us to beat them in our home opener will take a lot of effort but, it is not impossible.

"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 8, 2009 11:15 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

division is a mess

Chargers… I have no idea why they have stayed so silent… Team is getting older and a push for an AFC title has to be paramount right now. LT and Meriman are not getting younger. Look at possible injuries to really hurt this team.
Bronco’s… yea they have the draft picks as Chicago sold the farm for Cutler, but don’t look at them to make serious strides until 2010 or later. No running game, no Defense, and no QB to save them.
KC… has a lot on the line with the signing of Cassell. I just don’t see him going from a formula 1 to a yugo with the same speed. Gonzalez is getting old and Larry Johnson will have to carry the load once again, which in the AFC Worst, is not a bad thing considering Oakland and Denver’s D. Look at marginal improvement out of default

looking forward to the next 30 years of this team

by 30yearR8RFan on Apr 8, 2009 11:42 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Chargers still the team in the west...

I dont think the Chargers have too many holes to go after FA. They really need to solve their running game. I think you will see them go after a RB, RT/RG, LB, SFTY, maybe DT (not in any particular order). Meriman is still fairly young and his presence alone will get that defense back to playing at a higher level.

the broncos are still in rebuilding mode so they are done for at least 3 years.

KC is a bunch of question marks. They didnt play too bad for having 5 new rookie starters last year. I am sure they will be adding more this year. However, they are extremely young so they can get better really fast, especially if Cassell is as advertised.

by gl12ox05 on Apr 8, 2009 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions

I Like Our Structure Now

I feel it is very organized. This is something we were not able to say for a while. I think it will allow us to be more productive during the season and should show a huge improvement this season.

I can’t stand baseball. Football, I need you back soon.

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 8, 2009 12:54 PM PDT reply actions

Baseball is really not that bad

I Don’t know why I was watching it but, it seemed fun to see but, not anywhere close to football.

by nishal26 on Apr 8, 2009 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

just got to root for the A's

definitely a change of pace to football. hey, you all think that Al read Billy Beane’s book on building a sports franchise. especially after this off season

looking forward to the next 30 years of this team

by 30yearR8RFan on Apr 8, 2009 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Sorry, don't know who Billy Beane is

But Al did something to change this year’s off season and the only reason I would root for the A’s cuz they have Oakland and you know what that reminds me of.

by nishal26 on Apr 8, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions

LOL Nisha

you must not be a baseball fan… Gm of the Oakland A’s and author of the book Moneyball. He has been the engineer of how to build a competitve baseball team with no money in a small market for the last 15 years or so

looking forward to the next 30 years of this team

by 30yearR8RFan on Apr 8, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't watch much baseball

and don’t really check out AN cause I don’t follow my A’s very much. Mainly because baseball’s my third least favorite sport. Golf first, soccer second, baseball third. NASCAR would be first but it’s not really a sport to me.

However I will gladly watch an A’s or Indians game. A’s are my favorite team and my uncle was supposed to play for the Indians (amazing baseball player at OSU) until he really badly hurt his ACL which never fully healed. So he never got to play =(. Oh well, it’s nice to be related to a filthy rich accountant uncle =D.

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 8, 2009 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Although I live in California

I’m a Yankees Fan who loves baseball- so I’m busy almost all year long with sports!!

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

by DarksideJU08 on Apr 8, 2009 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions

I am Currently

watching Sharks hockey and Kings basketball. Big fan of both, but we know how bad the kings are.

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 8, 2009 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions

mainly Sharks hockey for me

Spurs lost Manu for the season and playoffs so we’re screwed.

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 9, 2009 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Futbol

You should give soccer a second chance. I used to be like you and thought that soccer was stupid. Now I’m as rabid a Manchester United Fan as I am a Raiders fan. If you watch soccer though, please watch Premier League or Champions League, U.S. soccer is bad.

Just HIT somebody.

by SBcitizen on Apr 8, 2009 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

I think Man-U is good, but I prefer Liverpool in the English Premier. Do you watch any Spainish League?
I also prefer International play.

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

by DarksideJU08 on Apr 11, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah

I Don’t watch much baseball unless I am extremely bored. For me sports would be Football, Basketball,Boxing, Golf ,Hockey, Tennis, and then Baseball.

P.S- 30yearR8RFan You spelled my name wrong I’m not a Female (Nisha) seems more female type and Nishal is more dudish but mistakes happen.

by nishal26 on Apr 9, 2009 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions

nishal sounds like the name of a wolf

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 9, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions

LOL

Very funny I am a BEAST.

by nishal26 on Apr 9, 2009 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions

organized??

I dont know if we are anymore organized. I guess we shall see on opening day, depending how many false starts, penalties, boched snaps we have.

I do like what we did in free agency, getting players to fill specific holes. Especially cheap and young.
I thing thinks will look a lot brighter if/when we get crabtree :)

but not sure about “organized”

by gl12ox05 on Apr 8, 2009 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Raji ALONE will not help the run defense.

Raji and some more efficient offensive play would help the run defense, but bj raji all by himself will not improve what we have had in terms of run defense.

by posey440 on Apr 9, 2009 11:02 AM PDT reply actions

True

He won’t stop the run game but he will help if you look at our defense overall it is a Pass stopping Defense we ranked 10Th in the league overall that’s why other teams run the ball against us instead of throwing it towards Nnamdi and Chris. I would love to take B.J Raji in the first and take a tall, talented, gifted WR which would help us on third down and in the red zone where we both finished last. So our defense has a lot of potential we need to plug up those holes and if we do that they we should be a real threat something teams have not thought of us since 2002.Offense helps but, Defense wins all those Championships- Pride & Poise.
.

by nishal26 on Apr 9, 2009 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

I don’t think Raji will have much affect if any. However, unlike you I think our offense and WR’s are plenty efficient to make a bigger impact. Of course this all depends on if the O-line has improved enough and JR can step up and take on the role he is supposed to.

We need a DE that can make containment and not get over powered on run blocks, and we need a SLB.

Just HIT somebody.

by SBcitizen on Apr 9, 2009 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Dolphins

Anyone know what the Dolphins did last off season to improve so much? It seems like it would be something to copy. Though I think we are doing a great job already…except for losing Wilson.

Just HIT somebody.

by SBcitizen on Apr 9, 2009 3:24 PM PDT reply actions

Well

They got Bill Pacells and he is good that’s what I think made them pretty good and got them to the playoffs.

by nishal26 on Apr 9, 2009 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions

They have

GM person.

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til I die!

by mikesd1981 on Apr 10, 2009 4:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Raiders on the cusp

or maybe not… The defensive line needs the teeth to stop the run (DE/DT). The offense need sustainable drives (WR) to keep the defense fresh… Many of our losses last season would occur in the second half meltdown on Defense and an Offense that was going three and out. IF, and thats a big two letter word, both are solved this offseason I think you are looking at a different Raider team with then newer areas to exploit (Safety). I think that is why many folks have gone D-line, WR, then Safety on their mock drafts (myself included).
We have always looked at this point in the off season for hope and a glimmer that this team is turning around and getting out of the toilet so it is hard to show too much optmism at this point just to think we will be in the same boat next year… looking for a coach… changing faces here… hoping for that and then MAYBE… we might get back to wining.
I am a fan of the Raiders for many years… this could be one of the most thought out and productive offseason’s we have had in a long time. The question mark rides on the players and coaching after this draft… Who steps up, and who washes out… we all have remarked about the ability and will cheer on the team this year.

looking forward to the next 30 years of this team

by 30yearR8RFan on Apr 10, 2009 6:18 PM PDT reply actions

Reality cheacks hurt

Ever time that I get really excited about this off season I have to check myself because i felt the same way last off season. Even though I think we are being very smart right now you’re right, we still have some big holes.

Just HIT somebody.

by SBcitizen on Apr 11, 2009 1:22 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm an optomistic guy

But I was disappointed like many of you during this past season. So I’m going to keep thinking that if the Raiders go 8-8 I’ll be happy. I’m not overshooting this one!!

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

by DarksideJU08 on Apr 11, 2009 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions

We should go Defense

OFFENSE
Passing rank 32 in NFL ATT 421 COMP 222 COMP 52.7 %
Rushing rank 10 in NFL ATT 459 Yards 1,987
Total OFF rank 29 in NFL
Sacked 39 times

DEFENSE
PASS rank 10 in NFL
Rush rank 31 in NFL
Total rank 27 in NFL
And the passing defense is inflated because everyone ran on us and didn’t have to throw.

So I can see why about 80% of Raider fans want a WR with the 7 pick, But are the Receivers the problem I personally do not think so.
With an upgraded O- line and a full year under JR’s belt we will be better in the passing game. I watched every raider game (as did most of you) I do not remember a lot of dropped catchable passes from Miller, Chaz, or JLH and I don’t remember any Fumbles from any WR. I do understand the need for a good possession WR but with the 7th pick. I think we can get a possession WR in a later round (Ramses Barden)

AND address the Defensive line First with BJ Raji
I kind of like Jarron Gilbert as a DE with the 2nd plays both the pass and run well (though inconsistent) but with good coaching and motivation he has a great upside
and with no D-line help this off season we to draft it. Basically STOP the RUN!!!!!!!!

I keep hearing Raiders need speed at WR ….UMMMMM
JLH ran a 4.33 40 dash
Chaz ran a 4.38 40 dash

So in 08 we had speed, no fumbles and not an overly amount of drops, but lacked protection which effected accuracy which brings down the passing efficiency. Hence signing O-lineman in Free agency.
And on D everyone ran over us which wore down the D resulting in 4th Quarter Loses.
No(real)free agents signed = draft picks

So Crabtree could help in 2 years or so but, Raji will help now.
Also the Saints lead the League in passing! Does anyone know there #1 WR?
Lance Moore (speed guy)
Colston (possession guy)
Neither on a High pick.

Thoughts?

by S-n-B4life on Apr 11, 2009 9:13 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

You pretty much got it all

That’s how I feel too, defense first and then get a WR. The Passing game at this point all relies on if JR will show up or not; we already know what Miller, JLH, and Chaz can do and they show up. I also feel that we should get an OT or C in the draft as well.

Good write up, but would you happen to have the ranking on how many sacks were allowed and yards given up by the O-Line?

Just HIT somebody.

by SBcitizen on Apr 12, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions