It's time for the community of Silver and Black Pride to vote your choices for the 2008 season Oakland Raider player achievement awards.
This will be a five part series that will commence with Rookie of the Year, then be followed by:
- Most Improved Player
- Defensive Player of the Year
- Offensive Player of the Year
- MVP
As we pass time and get prepared for the NFL Draft and the beginning of the new Raiders 2009 season, let's take a look back at 2008 and choose the players who achieved the most in their respective categories.
The candidates for Rookie of the Year:
1. Darren McFadden
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Rushing
Year Team Att Yds Avg Lng TD 2008 Oak 113 499 8.7 50 4 Total 113 499 8.7 50 4 Receiving
Year Team Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 2008 Oak 29 285 9.8 27 0 Total 29 285 9.8 27 0
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.
2. Michael Bush
Rushing |
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Year | Team | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
2008 | Oak | 95 | 421 | 4.4 | 67T | 3 |
Total | 95 | 421 | 4.4 | 67 | 3 |
Receiving |
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Year | Team | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
2008 | Oak | 19 | 162 | 8.5 | 10.8 | 0 |
Total | 19 | 162 | 8.5 | 10.8 | 0 |
Yes, I'm including Michael Bush for this category even though he was drafted in 2007. He never was activated for 2007 season, so I consider him a "red shirt rookie" as Bush saw his first action only in 2008. Bush really was under utilized, but when he was in he usually made an impact with his pounding style and versatility, not only rushing, but receiveing and throwing option passes.
3. Tyvon Branch
Defense |
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Year | Team | Tackles | Sacks | FF | FR | Int | Yds | TD |
2008 | Oak | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 0 |
Total | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 0 |
Kick Return |
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Year | Team | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
2008 | Oak | 6 | 89 | 14.8 | 20 | 0 |
Total | 6 | 89 | 14.8 | 20 | 0 |
The speedy, hard hitting safety from Connecticut was drafted by the Raiders with the first of their 2 picks in the 4th round. Branch's season was also cut short by injuries and he ended up on injured reserve.
4. Trevor Scott
Defensive
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Tackles | Interceptions | ||||||||||||
Year | Team | G | Total | Solo | Ast | Sck | SFTY | PDef | Int | TDs | Yds | Avg | Lng |
2008 | Oak | 16 | 24 | 19 | 5 | 5.0 | -- | 0 | -- | -- | -- | 0.0 | -- |
The Raiders drafted Trevor Scott in the 6th round out of the University of Buffalo to play defensive end. Though Scott is somewhat undersized, he made the most of his opportunities when he was on the field.
5. Chaz Schilens
Receiving
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Year | Team | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | Yds/G | Lng | TD | 20+ | 40+ | 1st | FUM |
2008 | Oak | 16 | 15 | 226 | 15.1 | 14.1 | 60 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
The Raiders drafted the 6'4" 225-pound Schilens in the 7th round and while he had some issues with injuries also, Chaz learned his position quickly and became a large target for Jamarcus Russell to look for. Chaz showed very good progress throughout the season and was a great value pick in the 7th round.
Those are your candidates Nation! Choose who you think should be the 2008 Raiders Rookie of the Year: