Silver and Black Pride's Sunday Community Poll: The Raiders Power Rankings

by TheRaiderWay on Jul 12, 2009 4:20 AM PDT

It's time to finally begin our look towards Oakland Raiders training camp and the 2009 season. And I've begun our series of training camp primers by putting together a list of the 10 most important Raiders to the upcoming season. Please note that I've stressed "upcoming" because that's what this poll is focusing on right now. Some might say the 2009 season is just a stepping stone to the 2010 season and beyond and this is true, but with a weak AFC West, the Raiders have a shot for the division if the below list of key players steps up their game in 2009.

So this list is about the most important players to the team's 2009 success - not their possible future success. Yes, football is a team game so they are all important, but they are all important in an order of ranking and that is what the poll is asking you. This is my ranking, if you have a different ranking, please explain it in the comment section.

The 10 most important Raiders for the 2009 season:

1.	JaMarcus Russell	He is only 23 years old, but JaMarcus has started this offseason displaying some of the leadership qualities that you want to see from the face of your franchise. Clearly, the QB position is the key to any teams success, but even more so with the Raiders and what they have invested in Russell. Russell has all the elements to succeed in 2009: improved offensive line, a running game, improved receivers and a system that he can thrive in with competent, experienced coaching. The success or failure of the 2009 Raiders will largely fall on Russel's shoulders.

2.	Jeff Garcia	Garcia is pivotal to the 2009 Raiders because he will either be pushing Russell to his potential or he will be replacing Russell as the starting QB. Either way, Garcia's experience is what has been sorely lacking on this team and his presence has already been felt.

3.	Mario Henderson	The Raiders could have drafted a premiere left tackle or could have gone after an elite one in free agency. They did not primarily because of their belief in Mario Henderson. The entire Raiders O-line will need to be good this season, but it will have to start with the play of Henderson.

4.	Tommy Kelly	Kelly was recovering from major knee surgery last year and was inconsistent as a result. It is also possible that the Rob Ryan defense did not properly utilize the talent that he had. Now, 2009 is the year for Kelly to earn the bucks of his big contract and be a force in the middle. Stopping the run and making an impact on the field by making opposing offenses have to game plan for you, is what I am expecting from Kelly for the 2009 season.

5.	Thomas Howard	Thomas Howard has huge talent and great speed, both of which probably made him the most misused player by Rob Ryan. John Marshall is said to love Howard and will use him a lot in blitz packages. If Marshall finds a way to unleash Howard, then opposing QB's will be running for their life.

6.	Darren McFadden	Playing his rookie year with a variety of injuries that limited his effectiveness and playing time, DMac now his healthy and is expected to be on the field a lot. His great talent will allow the Raiders to employ McFadden as not just a running back, but often as a receiver and also the wildcat. McFadden's threat to score from anywhere on the field will be a key to the success of the 2009 Raiders.

7.	Tyvon Branch	His combination of speed and strength make Branch a potential enforcer in the secondary. His rapid development would completely change the make-up of Oakland's defense, which as lacked an impact safety for years.

8.	Lorenzo Neal	Experience, ability and leadership are all of what have kept Neal in the league for 16 seasons. He will help protect Russell, open huge holes for the running backs and be an on field coach for the offense. Oren O'Neal is the Raiders future, but Lorenzo is 2009.

9.	Chaz Schilens	With no clear cut #1 wide receiver on the Raiders, Schilens has all the abilities, including size, weight and speed to be the #1 WR for the Raiders in 2009. On the whole, the Raiders have upgraded the position through the draft, but Schilens is in position to raise his game an become an impact player for the 2009 offense.

10.	Chris Johnson	How can any top 10 Raiders list not have Nnamdi Asomugha on it? The answer is because he is so good, that he hardly sees any action at all on game day. Of course, Nnamdi is essential to the team, but that means if Nnamdi goes down, whoever steps in will be a downgrade anyway. That leaves the other side, with Chris Johnson and his new contract, Johnson have to maintain his success of 2008 and bring it to 2009 if the Raiders have any hope of being a top defense against the pass.

Poll

Which Raiders player is the most important to the team's success for the 2009 season?

JaMarcus Russell

773 votes

Jeff Garcia

71 votes

Mario Henderson

54 votes

Tommy Kelly

24 votes

Thomas Howard

6 votes

Darren McFadden

154 votes

Tyvon Branch

3 votes

Lorenzo Neal

10 votes

Chaz Schilens

14 votes

Chris Johnson

6 votes

Other (please specify in comments)

19 votes

1134 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

i went with mario henderson

I think that his play against Gaines Adams and Mario Williams could catapult him to being a mainstay on the o-line for years to come. If he has what it takes to beat out Barnes in training camp and give Russell protection like he did the last two weeks of the year then watch out cuz Russell’s QB rating was 125 and 95 in those two games. And If not then Barnes will play a huge role and depending on his success will be the fate of the season.

I also think that DHB should be number 11 i know that sounds stupid he is a rookie who has a sharp learning curve and is playing argueably the second tougest positon to learn coming out of college but when randy moss came to MInnesota it made life for Culpepper so much easier to read the defenses cuz they always rolled coverage to his side it was an automatic and when Moss left culpepper had a huge drop off he wasnt very good at reading the coverages and adjusting the playcall i think Russell might be the same way and if we can simplify the amount of pre snap recognition and adjusting he needs to make then all the better

"The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else."

by BRIANMULHALL on Jul 12, 2009 6:02 AM PDT reply actions

Henderson

Russell’s season revolves around how much time he has to throw. Henderson has to keep up his level of play that we saw at the end of last year. If not, Russell will struggle which might cause him to be benched for Garcia. It will also create a problem of who will play LT. If Barnes starts at right like I think he will. He’ll have to be switched over with Pears starting at right. However, Barnes pass blocking last year was just as bad as Harris. Pears at LT? He had success in Denver but was much better as the RT. And we’re definitely not putting Green at LT.

So for me, the entire season revolves around Henderson.

Randy Blythe, Singer of Lamb of God- "Words can be broken, so can bones....." Omerta by Lamb of God

by KA1Z3R on Jul 12, 2009 6:54 AM PDT reply actions

More than one

I went with other because I believe they need a lot more than exceptional play from just one player to turn this team around.

Obviously JR needs to step forward and be more than mediocre, but then they need a LT to protect the blindside, along with WRs to get over the learning curve, a coach that will decide NOT to start Fargas, and much better play from the entire D (except Namdi, of course).

While I was happy to see Ryan leave, I really don’t think he was solely responsible for the bad defense, which had the smell of Davis meddling all over it. Ryan cam from a successful Patriot organization and I do not think he became stupid the moment he arrived in Oakland. He also wanted a 3-4, but for various reasons, with Sapp as a primary excuse, it never happened. If Davis leaves Marshall alone then it could improve – some.

by lurker88 on Jul 12, 2009 7:52 AM PDT reply actions

I’ll keep it short and sweet.

It’s a quarterback-driven league.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 12, 2009 10:34 AM PDT reply actions

Russell

Everything goes through him so he is responsible for our success.

R.I.P - Michael Jackson

by Rayder K on Jul 12, 2009 11:35 AM PDT reply actions

Henderson

QB’s look a lot better when they’re being properly protected.

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

by naq92 on Jul 12, 2009 2:29 PM PDT reply actions

The O-line

are always the unsung heroes they can make or break a QB.
Cassel will see that this year!

But if Russell does good or bad it will be on Russell not the O-line. (because of the contract)

The future is uncertain... and the end is always near. JMorrison

by S-n-B4life on Jul 12, 2009 2:53 PM PDT reply actions

Football dominance starts in the trenches.

I went with Henderson. If he solidifies the left tackle spot the whole line has a chance to be successful. If the line is not at least solid we will have no idea what Jamarcus and D-Mac are capable of.

Kelley is going to be huge as well. This defense can be successful if the linebackers are able to show off their speed and attack- they we be too busy fighting off blockers if the Raiders do not get improved DT play.

Wherever I go, that's where I am.

by Rich Langford on Jul 12, 2009 11:54 PM PDT reply actions

All of the Above and the rest of the team

You play as a team, you win as a team, you lose as a team. They found a good spark of life at the end of the season and if they can pick up where they left off, then we’re in for an amazing season. RAIDERNATION 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!

by RaiderTexas on Jul 13, 2009 12:47 AM PDT reply actions

gotta go with the trenches

im a true believer in the fact that games are won and loss with the men up front. i love our line so far but mario henderson still has somethin to prove to me. he did alright there in the end of the season, but if u watch he had plenty of tight end and RB help. id like to see him take some of those speed rushers by himself. but like all of our lineman he’s great with run blocking so theres the positive

by frank7da2tank on Jul 13, 2009 6:29 AM PDT reply actions

My Raiders

I just want the whole team to Kick Some Ass! Make me proud.

by Bigmac43212 on Jul 13, 2009 5:26 PM PDT reply actions

Best Barometer of Success will be Russell

The arguments for Mario Henderson and the other candidates on the offense are well taken, but if the Raiders have any chance at being competitive in the AFC West this season it will be because JaMarcus Russell is having a successful year. Russell’s success or lack thereof will likely be from the relative success of the offensive players around him, including the offensive line, running back corp., and to a somewhat lesser extent, the wide receiver corp. The Raiders cannot be successful if Russell is not successful, and Russell cannot be successful unless the other 10 players on offense are also successful. Furthermore, if the OL, RB, and WR do their part, it will all rest on Russell’s shoulders to push them over the top.

Slade Norris destroyed the periodic table, because he only recognizes the element of surprise.

ESPN’s draft coverage missed the moment when Al Davis and Tom Cable each took turns using Mel Kiper’s mock draft as toilet paper. - Chris Shellcroft

by LiveAdam on Jul 13, 2009 8:33 PM PDT reply actions