From the Easy Chair with Hitman and Attyla...this week, Offense

Well, Hitman and I have had scheduling issues with the blog, but this week I will tackle the subject of the new offense, and, scheduling permitting, HItman will take on the defense next week...so, with that, here it is:

Offensively the Raiders are now more uncertain than in recent years. In the past, the consensus was that the offense was just plain bad, but that is not as easy to access these days. So, a run down is in order:

QB: This is the biggest wild card on the offense. Russell will get the job from day #1, and it will take a virtual act of God to pull the reigns away. But who really knows what the Raiders have here. Conflicting reports have the big fella either the rocket armed general or the rookie being taught to touch pass. But a year on the sidelines will give the strong armed QB some time, a thing he undoubtedly needed, and an opportunity to learn the playbook. In addition, the Raiders went out and got the young signal caller some weapons over the last two years. But weapons and time are not enough to give any feel for what Russell will do once he is under center full time. This is the one area that gives the faithful fans no real information once the season starts.

RB: A strong area last year, there is nothing to indicate that it will level off. If anything, the Raiders added two weapons that had success in college in the persons of McFadden and Bush. Both were college phenoms, and both will bolster a running attack that will also feature Justin Fargas, Justin Griffith and Oren O'Neal. All have been role players on the team with results that put the Raiders top 5 running the ball last season. The expectation is that this unit will not only continue, but improve this year. The odd man out, Jordan, will doubtlessly find a home elsewhere, but with this busy back field, his days in Oakland are all but over.

WR: It starts and ends with nothing but questions. Other than Curry, the Raiders will count on players who will move into the system from the outside, or be so inexperienced that predicting productivity is all but useless. The big name on the unit has suffered with severe injuries and off field issues, The other outsider being asked to step in and make a difference is another Al Davis speedster with not much of a track record. Finally, there are youngsters who have much to prove, and little experience. The one bright spot in the group very well be the tight end who a year ago began to show the potential that the Raiders had hoped for almost exactly a year ago when he was signed.

O-Line: The glue that holds the entire group together is a unit that performed well rushing the ball, but had constant issues with providing time for the pass a year ago. Not much has changed on the line with the exception of the new LT for the team. This former first rounder has not impressed in his first years in the league, having lost his job in SF last season. The Raiders will count on this man to protect the blind side of jamarcus Russell, and with the rest of the unit also having struggled to protect the passer, it very well may be this part of the offense that ultimately determines the future for the Raiders.

Coaching: The Raiders ran the ball very well last year. They also showed that the penalty bug that has plagued the team for years has not gone away. The play calling was conservative, but with the team in flux, a conservative play calling was the least of the concerns. The young head coach made errors in judgement and was outcoached in several key games. While the coaching staff could not create the discipline needed to move forward, they did give the Raiders a bit more credibility than in recent years. But that, frankly was not a big accomplishment. To be successful, the conservative offense must find wings or 8 man defensive sets will be the norm against the Raiders.

Conclusion: It may start with the vision and skill of Russell, but for the Raiders to return to an offensive team that threatens other teams, the line must improve. If Russlel lacks time to execute, he will struggle in his second year, and his first as a starter. Nothing the Raiders did with the line indicate they addressed this issue with any certainty and as a result, one must question what we can expect from the passing game this year. The only positive that you can throw out there is they have weapons. We just don't know if they are going to be able to execute.

Over all, while the off season was a busy one, I think in the end we are still looking at an offense that ranks in the mid to high twenties when considering them against the league next year.

Perhaps my partner in crime will paint a more favorable picture of the defense next week....

From the Easy Chair

Attyla