Greetings, RF.net members!
A couple of years ago, I started something I had been thinking about for some time: An "award" that reflects something positive about one of the Raiders we all love.
Coming off a strong end to the season, even without the playoffs, this is a time for optimism, and so it's the perfect time to launch this year's vote.
My Silver & Black Report column is called "After Further Review," and I thought something appropriate would thus be to "look back and review" the players who got their first real chance to don the Silver & Black this past season (rookies or second-year players who didn't play their first year) and decide who the best one was.
Here's the formal description, as it were:
Quote:
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The "After Further Review" First-Year Star award is given to the rookie or first-season Raider judged by the members of Raiderfans.net to have contributed the most to the team in the just-completed season.
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Last year's near-unanimous winner was tight end Zach Miller, following first-season winner linebacker
Thomas Howard. The Raiders didn't have a second-round pick this year to follow those two, so it's a bit more of an open field, led by a pair of running backs.
This year, as in past years, I've chosen a "lucky seven" candidates (listed alphabetically), and I'll include an "other" category in case anyone wants to mount a write-in campaign:
Defensive back Tyvon Branch
The fourth-round pick made his mark as a gunner on special teams in the first eight games, though a broken thumb prevented him from getting much time returning kicks. A shoulder injury cut short his year, but not before he recorded his first NFL interception.
Running back Michael Bush
The big back missed his rookie year recovering from a broken leg, and struggled through some erratic playing time as a third-string tailback and reluctant fullback. Nonetheless, he finished third on the team in rushing with 421 yards on 95 carries — including 177 yards in the season-ending win — and scored three touchdowns. He also caught 19 balls and even managed to return a kick and complete a pass.
Offensive tackle Mario Henderson
After a tough start that included plenty of attention-getting criticism from then-head coach Lane Kiffin, the big OT finally got on the field in his second year in Silver & Black and wound up making five starts, including the last three games of the season at left tackle, when the Raiders went 2-1.
Running back Darren McFadden
The much-heralded first-round draft pick burst on the scene with 164 rushing yards in the second game of the season, but battled turf toe all year, playing only 13 games (with five starts). Still, he finished second on the team with 113 carries, 499 rushing yards and 29 catches. He led the team with four rushing touchdowns.
Wide receiver Chaz Schilens
The seventh-round draft pick donned Tim Brown's No. 81 and played in all 16 games, starting six. His 15 catches and 15-yard average were both third on the team among wide receivers, even though he played through some injuries on an inconsistent passing offense.
Defensive end Trevor Scott
The sixth-round draft pick from Turner Gill's up-and-coming Buffalo program made the squad as a situational pass rusher, and proceeded to tie for the team lead in sacks with 5.0, including a pair of two-sack games. The highlight was a pair of sacks of Brett Favre in the OT win over the New York Jets.
Wide receiver Todd Watkins
The first-year journeyman, a training-camp surprise, managed to make a 53-man roster full of young receivers. He got into eight games on special teams, though he failed to catch a pass. Among the various youngsters at the bottom of the roster, he got the most playing time and attention.
I'll follow up with an SBReport.net column or magazine article after a reasonable amount of time has passed, announcing/reflecting the winner, so please vote, and of course, feel free to comment.
Thanks again!
~ Ace
VOTE: 3rd Annual "AFR" First-Year Star Award!
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