What Are The Raiders Doing?

Don't think for a moment that I have an answer to this question. All the minds of the sports world can't divine what big Al is going to come up with next and don't think that they aren't trying. I don't think that I can even answer the question "What SHOULD the Raiders be doing?" Many minds much greater and better paid than mine wrangle over this and have conflicting ideas, but one of the fun parts of being a sports fan is playing owner/GM/coach. So, after all the games have been won or lost (more lost than won for us in Raider Nation) we look at our team and ask, what went right? What went wrong? How can we improve? What are some realistic steps that can be taken to make next year better?

Here is my take on my beloved mess of a team.

First, I don't believe that our personnel is quite as messed up as the 5-11 record says that we are. I know everyone says that, but this is why I think that it's true. JaMarcus Russell. I have nothing against the guy, but I have seen nothing good from him. The Raiders were 3-4 in the last 7 games ... when he didn't start. No, that is not a good record, but it is much better than the 2-7 with him. I have seen nothing positive in terms of work ethic, leadership, or character, and we definitely have seen nothing positive in the games. I don't know if the issue is that the coaching staff keeps changing or that Russell doesn't work hard enough at being on top of what is going on or perhaps he just can't do it at this level.

That said, JaMarcus is not really the problem with the Raiders. The problem is the fact that he was starting at QB when he clearly was and still is not ready. Jeff Garcia could have been the savior of both the Raiders' season and possibly Russell. I'm sure that the former Pro Bowl QB could have made a ton of plays, but more importantly taught JaMarcus how to lead a team and what kind of work ethic is needed to do that. He could have helped a very inexperienced receiving corps learn how to play together with the QB at this level. But, alas, we cut him. Perhaps, this off season we will do something smart like get someone with some good experience who can help our young QBs. I'm not sure that Vick would be the answer, but Hasselbeck might be available. Bulger might as well. Byron Leftwich? I would love to get Chad Pennington. I know that each of these guys have had injury issues and might not last long behind our line, but their understanding, leadership, and experience might be worth even more in helping Russell and/or Gradkowski develop.

Second, receivers. They are way too young. TE, Zach Miller is quality, but the rest have a ways to go. The top WR was Murphy (22 years old), #2 Schilens (24) in his second year only caught 15 passes in his first year. Higgins is the vet. He has 3 years. Heyward-Bey, another 22 year old guy who was supposed to light the world on fire, but could only manage 9 catches and was done after November. Again, perhaps we grab someone who has been around who might show these guys a few things. I must say I don't have a list of these guys in mind unless Torry Holt were to become available. Yes, he is only a shadow of who he was, but his shadow can get open better and catch more passes than our young bucks. They have talent, but they need to watch someone who has honed their skills to show them how to do the same.

Thirdly, the offensive line needs help. Now, I don't know if it is personnel, blocking schemes, coaching, identifying what the defense is doing and making adjustments, or having the QB understand how to use the protection that they are providing, but they allowed 49 sacks. Just over 1 sack for every 10 passes thrown, only Buffalo was worse (and only slightly worse). I'm thinking get the o-line coach from a team like the Vikings or Jets who get a lot out of their line. Then draft 2 or 3 o-linemen for the next 3 years and build the strongest, toughest, smartest o-line the NFL has seen. Then, you can do anything you want.

The defense is good, but can't hold the team up when they are on the field with their backs to the goal line the whole game because the offense can't move the ball. I'm sure there are places to improve. Getting another d-lineman or 2 to start grooming would be a good move. Bush, McFadden, and Fargas are solid backs but when the defense knows that you can't throw, they aren't given much room to run in.

Come on big Al. Help the Raider Nation by giving us a good product this year. Leave Cable alone for another year so that he has enough time to actually prove that he can or can't coach.