With the addition of CB DeAngelo Hall from the Atlanta Falcons via an off season trade, some figure the role of the former University of Houston track star to be diminished in 2008.
That may not be entirely accurate.
Though franchised corner back Nnamdi Asomugha has yet to sign his tender or sign a long term contract, most feel he will be on the field in Silver and Black at least through next year. With two of the Leagues best corners, Aso and Hall, holding down the starting spots, Routt would seem relegated to Nickle or specialty defenses in 08' and this may be true, but, with his vaunted team mates reputations preceding them, look for opponents to line up in more 3 receiver sets to try and create more favorable match ups.
Easier said than done.
Drafted by the Raiders after a blazing 40 time at the 2005 NFL combine, the 6-1, 195 lb Routt was snatched up by Oakland in the 2nd round with the 38th selection overall.
Dismissed as a reach or a conversion project by those unaware of his football production in College, he was not only durable, he had potential. Routt played well for the Cougars, tallying 47 game appearances, (starting 27 of them) racking up 136 tackles (111 solo), 23 deflections, 7 interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Now, within a few short years at the pro level, Routt has done a lot to prove to naysayers he is much more than an award winning World Class track star.
He'll have more opportunities again in 08' as teams look to avoid his more well know counter parts and try to pick on the lightning fast Routt.
He may not be a house hold name to everyday fans, but that will likely change as next year goes on. Its my guesstimation Routt is poised to have an outstanding year whether in reserve or filling as a starter.
This isn't simple fan appreciation or wishful thinking, by his actions on and off the field, Stanford has proven it. With the Raiders, Routt is part of a system predicated on solid play from its secondary. Probably more than any other NFL team, the Raiders rely on man coverage and the ability of their corners to get the job done, often with very little help.
Recently released DB Fabian Washington lamented defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and the Raider reliance on the "Cover-O" defense that "...most teams use as a gimmick".
Washington didn't fair well last year in Oakland losing his spot as soon as Routt recovered from a sore knee. The injury kept him out of pre season play and seemed to expose the under sized (at least for this system) 5-11, 185 lbWashington who, looked at times over whelmed and outmatched by bigger receivers.
Its my belief he'll go on to a decent career in Baltimore, because he's not a bad corner, just not ideal for the unusual Raider scheme.
At 6-1, 185 lbs Routt does have the size, speed and skills to not only compete, but excel no matter the defense called.
He is not only a very good tackler in open space, he has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, often snagging picks some have called "gimmes".
The fact remains, to those who would diminish the accomplishment, Routt got himself in position to make those plays and just because all of his picks weren't spectacular one handed stabs while falling out of bounds, they still counted on the stat sheet, stopped opponents and handed the ball back to the offense.
Routt's progresion into a fine cover corner was evident several times last year as Routt consistently helped change games and shut down opponents.
Sept. 9th against Detroit his interception set up a 4 play raider scoring drive. Against Miami on Sept. 30th, he picked off Trent Greene to halt a Dolphin scoring drive at the 2 yd line. Another pick in October against division rival the Kansas City Chiefs, again, halted another drive.
More than a back who can keep up with fast receivers, Routt's famous speed allows him to run down plays that break contain and take advantage of some of the best make up speed (like chasing down the play while the balls in flight) in the entire League.
Combined with his experience and last years addition of DB Coach Darren Perry, Routt's excellent skill sets may have gone unnoticed or been under appreciated by many fans and teams, but if I'm right (and I am) that will change in 08'.
Routt may be under rated by some and thats just fine as far as most Raider fans are concerned because teams who think he's the easier of the Raiders corners to exploit will be in for a rude awakening.
His team mate the last few years Nnamdi Asomugha had his break out year in 06', but look for 2008 to be Routt's.
In limited action, he has proven himself time and again as an excellent athlete with skills and a knack for game changing plays.
That will become more and more evident as next season goes on. Then, they'll be no more hiding from the league what some in Oakland wish would remain quiet, but the fact is, for those in the know, the secrets already Routt.
Besides Jamarcus Russell, the Raiders have several talented, but unproven players who could be poised to prove their metal in 08'.
Despite the fact the Raiders have brought in Kwame Harris from across the Bay, it's a possibility Mario Henderson could see time at Left Tackle in 08'.
The Raiders moved up in a trade with the Patriots to get him in the 3rd round of the 07' Draft and many in Oakland we're puzzled by the fact Henderson remained on the sidelines all year.
Though vastly improved over their dreadful 06' season, the Raiders front line still had and has many questions. Among them, the role Henderson will play in the coming season.
The 6-7, 300 lb. Henderson is a large athlete with long arms and only adequate footwork. One of the primary reasons we didn't see him at all last year may be contributed to the fact he'd appeared in only three games prior to his senior season. Henderson made great strides that final year at Florida State which prompted the Raiders to take a chance on his serious potential.
His lack of experience was most telling when it came to the basics. Henderson needed a lot of work just to get the fundamentals polished and has shown a tendency to fall of blocks and leave some plays unfinished.
He is a massive blocker who combines his great height and bulk with the physical talent to win over individual opponents. Henderson displays the footwork to slide on the outside in pass protection and contain speed rushers, but is very green and lacks proper technique, but when he does lock on to pass rushers he's shown the ability to stop opponents charges.
Working against Henderson, besides his limited football experience, was the fact he lacked the functional strength to get consistent movement to control and move the line.
It will be very interesting to see if Henderson and the Raiders have used last year and this off season to strengthen and sound the young Florida Stater who showed such late promise for the Seminoles .
It was obvious Henderson was going to need a lot of work when he was selected, but with Barry Sims whiffing on pass rushers and Cornell Greene going down later in the season, some Raider fans viewed the fact Henderson wasn't even suited up as a sign he might not be any good and another wasted pick by Oaklands sometimes notorious Drafts.
Only time will tell what and if Henderson contributes to the Silver and Black, but in his favor is Tom Cable's Zone Blocking System which Robert Gallery, (who suffered under the Raiders rotating Coaching dilemma of years past) described as "forgiving."
To Raider fans sick of losing and in todays multi-billion dollar NFL one can be excused for the "want it all, want it now" attitude, but the Raiders seemed to understand early on the big Tackle was going to be a project and took the very old school approach of bringing him along at a decelerated pace, rather than throwing him into the fire.
Whether we see him at Left Tackle this year for the Raiders is anyones guess, but with Sims gone and Harris' pass protection leaving Frisco fans unimpressed, we may find out in 08' if Mario is ready to contribute at the Pro level or not.
The highly touted former LSU Quarterback will get his start at the helm of a reloaded Raider Offense in 08'. But what will be expected of the Sophomore signal caller when Oakland takes the field?
Its likely these moves have been planned far in advance. The fabled 5 year plan comes to mind, but whether by fortune or design the Raiders Zone Blocking System regained some credibility for a line that was the laughing stock of the League in 06'.
Coincidentally or no, this falls into the good fortune of Jamarcus Russell, who will likely be asked to carry the load only on occasion.
Witness to this was the acquisition from across the Bay of Left Tackle Kwame Harris, who's pass blocking skills were lamented by 49er fans, but who helped novice RB Frank Gore rush for 1,695 yds in 06' and another 1,100 in 07'.
In theory, adding Arkansas phenom Darren McFadden to the fold will benefit him as well, augmenting the Raiders respected if not soon feared rushing attack.
Teams will be less apt to pin their ears back and attack the young QB if Oaklands ground game is effective.
Shorter passes, screens and play action will be his friend as well.
Have no illusions, it is almost certain Oaklands ancient Over seer Al Davis will call for a few deep strikes to stretch the field should teams get too happy loading 8 + in the box against the run, but for the most part, Oakland should and will grind it out on the ground.
Though Russell missed Pre season camps due to a contractual hold out, in 07', he has been rumored to be working out with the Raiders and prepping himself for the season ahead.
Though its unlikely he'll be asked to shoulder the bulk of responsibility early on, the former LSU Tiger from the Bayou will no doubt begin to prove whether he has the Voo Doo capable of re-igniting that old Silver and Black magic.
So it's been 34 days after the '08 NFL draft. I was left initially unimpressed. Why another RB? Why another DB with our 2nd choice? These thoughts raced through my head during draft weekend. Defense, defense, defense! I was hoping we got more beef in the trenches of our defensive line, hoping to stifle opponents' passing game ala Super Bowl champ NY Giants, and most of all, hoping to stop the bleeding sieve that we have been against the run. Instead, we went flash by picking up the best offensive...
