A New Season...
Posted 08-31-2007 at 09:57 PM by HITMAN
So here we are another NFL season about to begin, with so many unanswered questions about this team still looming.
How will the new wunderkind coach Lane Kiffin do? Will top draft pick JaMarcus Russell be the next Peyton Manning or the next Ryan Leaf? Will the Raiders ever stop the run and improve on their #3 defensive ranking? Can the offensive line stop being so offensive? These are just a few thoughts running through my mind as the season begins.
These are questions that most fans have thought of or should have at least pondered them a bit, because these are the key elements to the success or failure of this season.
The hiring of Lane Kiffin was a bold move and as we all know only time will tell how well the gamble has paid off. Lane Kiffin brings the same type of enthusiasm and organizational skills that Jon Gruden displayed, but given Kiffin’s lack of NFL experience will that be a positive or negative as the season progresses? All we can do is hope Kiffin’s energy, football knowledge and his work ethic rubs off on his team... certainly can’t do any worse than Art Shell did can he?
Some experts have called the drafting of LSU, QB JaMarcus Russell a no brain choice, but I don’t think it’s that cut and dry... If you don’t have an offensive line and a running game to help ease the burden of your QB, no matter the ability and potential can create panic and frustration that’s not good for a young QB at least not as I see it.
JaMarcus has a great deal of potential, however we’ve seen what happens when potential isn’t reached especially with the Oakland Raiders unless you are a defensive back e.g.: Derrick Gibson. Al Davis isn’t a very patient man. Of course this is contingent on Russell actually signing a contract, but that’s another discussion altogether. All bets are off, talent and potential notwithstanding.
Some of the concerns that I’ve read about, discussed and debated still hinge on two critical areas that have plagued the Raiders for the better part of four seasons and those are the offensive and defensive lines.
The Raiders picked up some experienced free agents for the offensive side of the ball, but one also has to raise an eye-brow only because some of these veterans had prior injury issues, which could come back to haunt the Raiders, but they could also be a none issue. We will find out sooner than later and I’m hopeful these past injuries will be just that a thing of the past.
For all the publicity the defense receives and for the overall #3 ranking at the end of last season, Raider fans are still of the opinion this defense is in the elite league with the 85' bears and the 99' Ravens and my response to these comparisons is, ARE YOU HIGH? the Raiders failed to address the defensive line.
Some will argue drafting Quentin Moses and Jay Richardson took care of that, as I see it they needed help in the middle as their overall ranking against the run was less than stellar. The Raiders have some depth, but are still lacking when it comes to a run stopper in the middle.
If Messrs: Huff, Schweigert and Darius are making the same number of tackles this year then you can kiss those hopes of the Raiders defense becoming an elite defense fall by the way-side. The game is won in the trenches and that hasn’t changed for several decades now... until they can stop the run, all the rankings in the world aren’t going to improve the defense...
Well these are some thoughts that I’ve had since the end of last year ... it’s been a long off-season and I for one can’t wait to see the end result of all the changes that were made... let’s hope Al Davis genius tag has one more good run left!
How will the new wunderkind coach Lane Kiffin do? Will top draft pick JaMarcus Russell be the next Peyton Manning or the next Ryan Leaf? Will the Raiders ever stop the run and improve on their #3 defensive ranking? Can the offensive line stop being so offensive? These are just a few thoughts running through my mind as the season begins.
These are questions that most fans have thought of or should have at least pondered them a bit, because these are the key elements to the success or failure of this season.
The hiring of Lane Kiffin was a bold move and as we all know only time will tell how well the gamble has paid off. Lane Kiffin brings the same type of enthusiasm and organizational skills that Jon Gruden displayed, but given Kiffin’s lack of NFL experience will that be a positive or negative as the season progresses? All we can do is hope Kiffin’s energy, football knowledge and his work ethic rubs off on his team... certainly can’t do any worse than Art Shell did can he?
Some experts have called the drafting of LSU, QB JaMarcus Russell a no brain choice, but I don’t think it’s that cut and dry... If you don’t have an offensive line and a running game to help ease the burden of your QB, no matter the ability and potential can create panic and frustration that’s not good for a young QB at least not as I see it.
JaMarcus has a great deal of potential, however we’ve seen what happens when potential isn’t reached especially with the Oakland Raiders unless you are a defensive back e.g.: Derrick Gibson. Al Davis isn’t a very patient man. Of course this is contingent on Russell actually signing a contract, but that’s another discussion altogether. All bets are off, talent and potential notwithstanding.
Some of the concerns that I’ve read about, discussed and debated still hinge on two critical areas that have plagued the Raiders for the better part of four seasons and those are the offensive and defensive lines.
The Raiders picked up some experienced free agents for the offensive side of the ball, but one also has to raise an eye-brow only because some of these veterans had prior injury issues, which could come back to haunt the Raiders, but they could also be a none issue. We will find out sooner than later and I’m hopeful these past injuries will be just that a thing of the past.
For all the publicity the defense receives and for the overall #3 ranking at the end of last season, Raider fans are still of the opinion this defense is in the elite league with the 85' bears and the 99' Ravens and my response to these comparisons is, ARE YOU HIGH? the Raiders failed to address the defensive line.
Some will argue drafting Quentin Moses and Jay Richardson took care of that, as I see it they needed help in the middle as their overall ranking against the run was less than stellar. The Raiders have some depth, but are still lacking when it comes to a run stopper in the middle.
If Messrs: Huff, Schweigert and Darius are making the same number of tackles this year then you can kiss those hopes of the Raiders defense becoming an elite defense fall by the way-side. The game is won in the trenches and that hasn’t changed for several decades now... until they can stop the run, all the rankings in the world aren’t going to improve the defense...
Well these are some thoughts that I’ve had since the end of last year ... it’s been a long off-season and I for one can’t wait to see the end result of all the changes that were made... let’s hope Al Davis genius tag has one more good run left!
Total Comments 10
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nice read bro!
 I look forward to reading your reading your blogs, keep'em comin!  |
 
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I'll have comments each week after each game!
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I like your sometimes very controversial opinion - so I will read your blog regularly.
Always good to get another view on things. |
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I don't always try to be controversial, but I usually have a different perspective on the team, but if it creates some critical thinking then I think I've succeeded. Thanks for reading it.
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Good stuff brother.
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Thanks!
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Great points Hit....
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sheesh it was a bit wordy dont ya think?
nice read hitman, i too cannot wait until the real deal starts to see what was hype and what is real |
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why cant mainstream journalists find the right balance like this article does?
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Good read hitman, you are an intelligent man
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