Oakland Raiders
2010 record: 8-8
Last playoff appearance: 2002, 11-5, AFC West Champs, W30-10 NYJ, W41-24 TEN, L48-21 TB Super Bowl XXXVII
General Manager: Al Davis (1963-current)
Head Coach: Hue Jackson (2011)
Offensive Coordinator: Al Saunders
Defensive Coordinator: Chuck Bresnahan
Defensive alignment: 4-3
2010 NFL Rankings:
OFF: 25.6 PTS (6th) 354.6 YDS (10th) 198.8 PASS (23rd) 155.9 RUSH (2nd)
DEF: 23.2 PTS (20th) 322.8 YDS (11th) 189.2 PASS (2nd) 133.6 RUSH (29th)
Jeremy’s Outlook: The Raiders surprised almost everybody last season and ran the table in the AFC West by going 6-0 in the division. It wasn’t enough to save Tom Cable his job, though. Hue Jackson was promoted and will try to build upon Cable’s minor success last season. Darren McFadden broke out last season. McFadden had an impressive year, but he still has yet to prove to me that he can do it consistently and isn’t just a one hit wonder. Jason Campbell is still the starter and is expected to improve. Jacoby Ford and Darrius Heyward-Bey, of course, are expected to get open with speed. Rookie Denarius Moore, one of my draft sleeper picks, had a good camp and could make an impact. Zach Miller is gone to Seattle and Kevin Boss comes from the Giants to try to replace Miller, but the position takes a downgrade. The offensive line has some good, young talent.
The defense lost Nnamdi Asomugha, but I think they’ll surive. The run game needs to improve a lot. 29th last season is not good enough, especially now that Asomugha is gone. Defensive end Matt Shaughnessy is underrated and is an impact player. Overall, the defense needs to prove that it can shut down the passing game still without Asomugha’s presence. If they can, they might be able to prove to be a decent unit.
Prediction: Tough call. McFadden needs to prove he’s not a one year wonder, the run defense needs to improve and Nnamdi Asomugha’s absence is bound to leave a hole. I don’t think they’ll improve over the 8-8 record from 2010. Jason Campbell only has a ceiling that’s so high. After looking at their schedule, I’m predicting a 5-11 season.
Projected Starters:
QB: Jason Campbell
RB: Darren McFadden
WR: Jacoby Ford
WR: Darrius Heyward-Bey
WR: Denarius Moore
TE: Kevin Boss
OT: Jared Veldheer
OG: Stefen Wisniewski
C: Samson Satele
OG: Cooper Carlisle
OT: Khalif Barnes
DE: Lamarr Houston
DT: Richard Seymour (aka Seymour, Dick)
DT: Tommy Kelly
DE: Matt Shaughnessy
OLB: Kamerion Wimbley
MLB: Rolando McClain
OLB: Quentin Groves
CB: Chris Johnson
CB: Stanford Routt
FS: Michael Huff
SS: Tyvon Branch
K: Sebastian Janikowski
P: Shane Lechler
Fantasy Performers:
1. Darren McFadden RB
2. Michael Bush RB
3. Jacoby Ford WR
4. Sebastian Janikowski K
5. Jason Campbell QB
2011 schedule:
1 Sep 12 at Broncos 10:15 PM Tickets
2 Sep 18 at Bills 1:00 PM Tickets
3 Sep 25 vs. Jets 4:05 PM Tickets
4 Oct 02 vs. Patriots 4:15 PM Tickets
5 Oct 09 at Texans 1:00 PM Tickets
6 Oct 16 vs. Browns 4:05 PM Tickets
7 Oct 23 vs. Chiefs 4:05 PM Tickets
8 Bye
9 Nov 06 vs. Broncos 4:05 PM Tickets
10 Nov 10 at Chargers 8:20 PM Tickets
11 Nov 20 at Vikings 1:00 PM Tickets
12 Nov 27 vs. Bears 4:05 PM Tickets
13 Dec 04 at Dolphins 1:00 PM Tickets
14 Dec 11 at Packers 1:00 PM Tickets
15 Dec 18 vs. Lions 4:05 PM Tickets
16 Dec 24 at Chiefs 1:00 PM Tickets
17 Jan 01 vs. Chargers 4:15 PM Tickets
Re-signed:
Kyle Boller QB – 1 yr, 1.25 million
Michael Bennett RB – 1 yr, 890,000
Khalif Barnes OT – 1 yr
Mario Henderson OT – 4 yrs, 1.675 million
Langston Walker OT – 1 yr, 1.2 million
Samson Satele C – 4 yrs, 2.89 million
Jarvis Moss DE – 1 yr, 1.25 million
John Henderson DT – 2 years, 8 million
Richard Seymour DT – 2 years,$30 million
Kamerion Wimbley OLB – 5 yrs, 48 million
Sam Williams OLB – 1 yr
Ricky Brown MLB – 1 yr, 1.75 million
Stanford Routt CB – 3 years, 54.5 million
Michael Huff FS – 4 yrs, 32 million
Hiram Eugene FS – 4 yrs, 10.25 million
Jon Condo LS – 1 yr
Free agent acquisitions:
Kevin Boss TE (Giants) – 4 yrs, 16 million
Stephen Heyer OT (Redskins) – 1 yr, 1.7 million
Free agent losses:
Bruce Gradkowski QB – Signed with Bengals
Johnnie Lee Higgins WR – Signed by Eagles
Zach Miller TE – signed with Seahawks
Robert Gallery OG – signed by Seahawks
Thomas Howard OLB – Signed with Bengals
Nnamdi Asomugha CB – Signed with Eagles
Picks in 2011 NFL Draft (overall draft grade: B): The Raiders needed quite a bit of help on their offensive line and addressed that with Wisniewski and Barksdale. Speed was the theme yet again as Al Davis selected top speedsters of the 2011 class in Van Dyke, Chekwa, and Jones. I’m not a huge fan of this draft, just glancing over the names, but when you look at my values off of my draft board, it’s not too bad. Tennessee’s Denarius Moore is one of my sleeper picks from this class.
(! Indicates draft pick who was interviewed, had a private workout, etc. prior to the draft according to my compiled list):
Rd 2, Pick 16 (48) Stefen Wisniewski OL, Penn State – His uncle Steve played for and now coaches for the Raiders. They needed upgrades on their offensive line. Perfect fit and value. According to some, Wisniewski had a late round or undraftable grade by some teams.
Grade: A- Rated: 49
Rd 3, Pick 17 (81) Demarcus Van Dyke DB, Miami (FL) ! – speed kills and Van Dyke used his speed to zoom up draft boards. Asomugha’s left for free agency.
Grade: C- Rated: 168
Rd 3, Pick 28 (92) Joseph Barksdale OL, LSU – The Raiders get more help that they’re desperate for along their offensive line. Barksdale has good athleticism so it’s no surprise that Al Davis took him.
Grade: B Rated: 118
Rd 4, Pick 16 (113) Chimdi Chekwa DB, Ohio State – another 40 time pick for Al Davis. This time, it’s a player with corner skills to match the pick value.
Grade: A Rated: 84
Rd 4, Pick 28 (125) Taiwan Jones RB, Eastern Washington! – another player with a great 40 time. His 10 yard split was one of the fastest by any prospect this year. However, injuries are a major concern with him.
Grade: A Rated: 105
Rd 5, Pick 17 (148) Denarius Moore WR, Tennessee – one of my sleeper picks. However, it doesn’t help my case that he was drafted ahead of where I had him…
Grade: B+ Rated: 158
Rd 6, Pick 16 (181) Richard Gordon TE, Miami (FL)! – good hands, but this is a big reach.
Grade: F Rated: NR
Rd 7, Pick 38 (241) David Ausberry WR, USC – great speed for a man his size.
Grade: C Rated: NR
2010 Stat Leaders
Jason Campbell 194-329 59.0% 2387 YDS 7.3 YPA 13 TD 8 INT 84.5 RTG
Darren McFadden 223 ATT 1157 YDS 5.2 YPA 57 LNG 7 TD
Zach Miller 60 REC 685 YDS 11.4 YPC 43 LNG 5 TD
Sebastian Janikowski 33-41 80.5% 59 LNG
Tyvon Branch 104 TCK
Kamerion Wimbley 9 SCK
Michael Huff 3 INT
Out of Season Storylines (Because there is no offseason)
Hue Jackson Named New Head Coach
Al Saunders New Offensive Coordinator