Raiders: Dream/nightmare scenarios & Ausberry gains 20 pounds of muscle

[Artois]

Raiders: Dream/nightmare scenarios - AFC West Blog - ESPN

Raiders: Dream/nightmare scenarios

By Matt Williamson | ESPN.com

Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Raiders in 2012.

Dream scenario (9-7): Maybe the Raiders get the Carson Palmer whom the last staff envisioned and he regains his form from years ago. Although the tight end position is a nightmare, Oakland’s core of young wide receivers could burst onto the scene this season. Denarius Moore could be a superstar, and Juron Criner could be an ideal complement. Switching schemes can be dicey, but the Raiders’ offensive line looks better off going to a zone-blocking scheme and should be especially improved on the interior. Oakland absolutely must cut down on penalties, and drastically reducing such mistakes seems like a reasonable and reachable goal. Also, only four teams threw more interceptions than the Raiders last season. Reducing picks along with having an exceptional pair of kicking specialists could greatly aid Oakland in winning the hidden-yardage battle.

Nightmare scenario (4-12): The Raiders have poor depth. They are also breaking in a new head coach and new schemes. As the season goes along, their depth will surely be tested -- and I don’t expect it to respond kindly. Oakland absolutely needs Darren McFadden to stay healthy this season. Of course, that has been a problem for its spectacular running back. When healthy, few in this league produce like McFadden, but the right tackle position looks like a trouble area. There also could be a drop-off coming on defense. The defensive line overall is strong, but where are the top edge pass-rushers and top cover men? In a passing league, that is a massive problem in my eyes. The best I can forecast for Oakland is to have great luck with injuries and sneak into the playoffs as a wild-card team, while their nightmare scenario could be selecting in the top five of next year’s draft.

Raiders: Dream/nightmare scenarios - AFC West Blog - ESPN


Ausberry's move to TE a physical transformation

Oakland Raiders TE David Ausberry speaks to the media following today's OTA's:



Ausberry's move to TE a physical transformation
By Paul Gutierrez
May 24, 2012


ALAMEDA -- The transformation of David Ausberry from wide receiver to tight end is more than a mental switch for the second-year pass catcher from USC.

It's a physical thing, too, literally, as observed by the 20 pounds of muscle Ausberry has put on since the Raiders used a seventh-round draft pick on him last year. Standing six-foot-four, he now weighs 265 pounds but has not lost his nimble feet or soft hands that served him well when he lined up on the outside.

"I was doing a lot of the same things last year, but now it’s pretty much hand in dirt," Ausberry said this week. "There’s also a lot of formations where I am split out wide and all that, but now it’s more about being a real tight end. It feels pretty good.

"Recognizing defensive fronts (has improved). Coming from the outside back to the interior, you have to be aware of what’s going on in front of you now. You’re not reading too many safeties now."

In what was perhaps his highlight of Tuesday's open-to-the-media practice, Ausberry beat middle linebacker Rolando McClain across the middle.

But as far as rookie coach Dennis Allen is concerned, he does not want to put a "timetable" on Ausberry becoming an every-down tight end.

"I think he definitely has the ability to," Allen said. "If he keeps getting better we'll play that out as we get through training camp and kind of see where we're at."

Of course, everyone looks great in a May OTA workout in helmets and shorts, right? At least, everyone should look like they deserve to be on a 53-man roster. But if Ausberry's added build helps him as a blocker, he might vault himself to the top of the Raiders' depth chart at tight end.

"When we put on the pads we'll find out where he's at as far as (blocking) is concerned," Allen said.

Ausberry, who caught just two passes for 14 yards last year but saw a lot of time on special teams in 12 games, already has a proponent in quarterback Carson Palmer.

"It feels great," Ausberry said. "A vet like Carson, you always want a guy like that in your corner. It helps when you have some sort of relationship with the starting quarterback. You start to feel each other on the field and it helps a lot. I am just blessed to be in this position."

He also had the unique opportunity to work with Palmer and fellow receivers Darrius Heyward-Bey and Eddie McGee and future Hall of Famer Terrell Owens in Los Angeles a few months back.

"Somebody like that, T.O. is a great player and to be in his presence and work out with him, it was great," Ausberry said. "He was passing on a lot of tips to us young guys."

Owens has let it be known that he'd like to join the Raiders this season. But maybe he's already helped them with his mentoring of Ausberry and Co. this offseason. Besides, Ausberry may be a tight end now but maintains he still has a receiver's skill set.

"I don’t feel like I lost anything but that just comes with a lot of technique," he said. "You've got to know your opponent and be able to separate from people, and that’s what I am trying to do."

Ausberry was talking about opponents, though he could have been referring to pulling away from fellow Raiders tight ends Brandon Myers and Richard Gordon on the depth chart.

Ausberry's move to TE a physical transformation

[BVJ]

Only thing I take seriously from Bill Williamson is food reviews, that fat pos is hot garbage.

[raiders12111]

9-7 dream huh? time to go back to sleep Bill

[Artois]

Only thing I take seriously from Bill Williamson is food reviews, that fat pos is hot garbage.

I think his points are fair, which ones do you not agree with?

The Good:

A. Oakland’s core of young wide receivers could burst onto the scene
-Denarius Moore could be a superstar, and Juron Criner could be an ideal complement

B. Raiders’ offensive line looks better off:
-zone-blocking scheme
-improved on the interior

C. Oakland absolutely must cut down on penalties:
-drastically reducing such mistakes seems reachable

D. Reducing picks:
-only four teams threw more interceptions than the Raiders last season

E. Exceptional pair of kicking specialists

F. The defensive line overall is strong


The Bad:

A. The Raiders have poor depth (MLB, LT, C)

B. Tight end position is a nightmare (more of a question mark IMO)

C. Switching schemes can be dicey

D. Breaking in a new head coach

E. Need Darren McFadden to stay healthy

F. Right tackle position looks like a trouble area (Barnes had some bad moments last year)

G. Where are the top edge pass-rushers and top cover men?

[raiderArt]

9-7 would not be a dream WTF? A dream scenario would be 13-3. This team is good enough to get to 9-7 if healthy (CP3, DMAC, Moore).

[Naphtali]

Dream/Nightmare scenario Gregg Knapp gets hit by a bus, unable to perform OC duties, which means Al Saunders steps in as the offensive coordinator Palmer, receivers, and others are thankful to be back in same system we tear it up on offense fight our way to the conference championship.
Mcfadden wins MVP

Nightmare side Greg Knapp runs Mcfadden into the ground, gets Carsons ACL torn by calling a roll out bootleg right into a d lineman whereas Carson should be in the pocket.

As long as Knapp is running the O favor the nightmare side

[Artois]

To be fair, he kept the dreams of the other teams in the AFC West pretty low too:


Chargers: Dream scenario (10-6), Nightmare scenario (6-10)
Chiefs: Dream scenario (10-6), Nightmare scenario (7-9)
Broncos: Dream scenario (11-5), Nightmare scenario (4-12)

Man, he thinks the worst case scenario for the Chiefs is 7-9 though, LMAO!


AFC West Blog - ESPN

Chargers: Dream/nightmare scenario

Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Chargers in 2012.

Dream scenario (10-6): Although Philip Rivers had a very down 2011 by his fantastic track record, the Chargers still threw the ball effectively and should once again in 2012. Even though Vincent Jackson is in Tampa Bay, Antonio Gates is healthy and San Diego has enough at wide receiver, including better slot options, to allow for Rivers to do what Rivers does best: sling it all over the field, especially deep. San Diego does look to be noticeably improved in the front seven. That could pay off huge in terms of improvement against the run and pass as well as generate more big plays. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Melvin Ingram ends up being the defensive rookie of the year as a versatile and explosive difference-maker. I am still a huge fan of Rivers and I believe that Ryan Mathews can be an elite running back to mix in with a noticeably improved defense. But what is the ceiling if all of this comes together? A divisional crown certainly is a possibility, but I still think San Diego -- even if everything goes right -- would be a step below the top teams in the NFL.

Nightmare scenario (6-10): What if Mathews gets hurt? In a dream scenario, Mathews could have as strong a season as any running back in the NFL. But his injury history is very troubling, the Chargers have very little behind him and their offensive line ranks among the worst in the league right now. The offensive line could be the downfall of the entire team and could easily lead to injuries to the Chargers’ most important players, Rivers and Mathews. And Rivers must cut down on the interceptions. Also, how much do we really trust Gates to return to his previously amazing form for an entire season? Remember, the defense did take a big step backward last year, and it wasn’t all that long ago that the Chargers were unbelievably awful on special teams. What if glimmers of that ineptitude resurface? The worst-case scenario of 6-10 wouldn’t bode well for Norv Turner’s job.


Chiefs: Dream/nightmare scenarios

Dream scenario (10-6): Kansas City’s roster is much stronger than it was in 2011, when the Chiefs were riddled with key injuries. Kansas City lost franchise building blocks such as Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles and Tony Moeaki very early. If such young players can return to where they were pre-injury to go along with an extremely strong offseason for Kansas City, this roster could be one of the most talented and deepest in the NFL. Despite a gaping hole at right tackle, the Chiefs’ pass-blocking was pretty strong in 2011, but the run-blocking was suspect. Kansas City has upgraded dramatically at that spot with the addition of Eric Winston, so expect the front five to excel this season. Another area in which Kansas City could rather easily improve is on special teams, where overall they struggled quite a bit in 2011. Based on last year’s opponents’ winning percentage, the Chiefs have the easiest schedule in the AFC West by a narrow margin over Oakland. To me, the Chiefs' ceiling this year is winning the division and maybe a playoff game or two.

Nightmare scenario (7-9): When discussing the Chiefs’ roster, which overall I am very high on, I failed to mention the quarterback position. Matt Cassel is not a bad quarterback, but he certainly isn’t a difference-maker, either. In fact, Kansas City is possibly the weakest team in the AFC West at the most important position on the field -- although a case could be made for the Raiders for that distinction. Also, there is little behind Cassel if he should fall to injury, as he did a year ago. That in itself puts a low ceiling on what this team might be able to ultimately accomplish in 2012. Also, will those young talents return to past form after injury? Will Dontari Poe be a difference-maker in his first NFL season? Although I don’t see the Chiefs’ ceiling being as high as Denver’s, I think their floor is in the 7-9 range unless utter disaster strikes again.


Broncos: Dream/nightmare scenarios

Dream scenario (11-5): Peyton Manning takes a 2011 playoff team to the Super Bowl, which the Broncos win, of course. I find this scenario to be unlikely, but it is possible -- because I won’t doubt the greatness of Manning. For this to occur, Manning’s new teammates will have to quickly adapt to an offense that is extremely different than what they ran with Tim Tebow behind center. But of course, Manning will be orchestrating it and can get an awful lot of out his teammates. The Broncos’ run defense improved dramatically from 2010 to 2011. They did lose their best run defender in Brodrick Bunkley, but if they can overcome that loss and remain strong in this department it will go a long way toward getting opposing offenses into third-and-long situations. Denver’s pass-rushing duo of Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller, along with what looks like a vastly improved set of cornerbacks, could make things very difficult on opposing passing games. All of this plays well into the hands of the offense and Manning. Also, unlike the Manning years in Indianapolis, the Broncos were exceptional overall on special teams last season. There is no reason that shouldn’t keep up. Denver has quickly built this team around Manning, and to win now.

Nightmare scenario (4-12): Of course, the huge nightmare scenario for Denver is if Manning takes a big hit early in the season and is sidelined. As great as Manning has supposedly looked during his recovery process, taking big hits is the true test of this elder statesman’s health. As I alluded to above, I have some doubts as to how well the holdover Denver offensive players will adapt to the Manning way of playing offense. It will be like going from "The Flintstones" to "The Jetsons." The offensive line is the spot that worries me most in this drastic transition. The offense now requires the linemen to be athletic, move in unison, excel with the mental aspects of the position and be on the same page as Manning with all of his pre-snap adjustments. As is also the case with the receiver routes and adjustments, all of these drastic adjustments will take a lot of time and a ton of practice and game repetitions. Defensively, the loss of Bunkley does loom large, and the middle of this defense could be vulnerable. Also, the Broncos could really use one more pass-rush threat to step up. Denver will play a first-place schedule, with half of its games against the AFC North and NFC South, which seems very daunting. The rest of the division really fought injury problems in 2011; the Broncos remained quite fortunate on that front. If it goes bad in Denver this season, it might go really bad … like 4-12 bad.

AFC West Blog - ESPN

[DMaC is Back]

btw this is Matt Williamson, not Bill Williamson. not that it makes a huge difference..

[Artois]

Dream/Nightmare scenario Gregg Knapp gets hit by a bus, unable to perform OC duties, which means Al Saunders steps in as the offensive coordinator Palmer, receivers, and others are thankful to be back in same system we tear it up on offense fight our way to the conference championship.
Mcfadden wins MVP

Nightmare side Greg Knapp runs Mcfadden into the ground, gets Carsons ACL torn by calling a roll out bootleg right into a d lineman whereas Carson should be in the pocket.

As long as Knapp is running the O favor the nightmare side

This was really funny. And Wow, you hate Greg Knapp as offensive Co. I am going to wait to pre-season, see how Carson looks in the system. The most troubling part of your post is the running DMAC into the ground, I really hope that does not happen.

[ppleschamp030]

what i find funny is. our dream scenario is lower then everyone else's dream scenario. and our worst case scenario is tied for worst case scenario with the broncos 4-12.

[ppleschamp030]

i think bill williamson is a lot less bias then matt williamson.

[underdog]

All I know, is if you do not feel next year is the beginning of a dynasty then you are wrong.

End of story

[Okie]

I think his points are fair, which ones do you not agree with?

The Good:

A. Oakland’s core of young wide receivers could burst onto the scene
-Denarius Moore could be a superstar, and Juron Criner could be an ideal complement

B. Raiders’ offensive line looks better off:
-zone-blocking scheme
-improved on the interior

C. Oakland absolutely must cut down on penalties:
-drastically reducing such mistakes seems reachable

D. Reducing picks:
-only four teams threw more interceptions than the Raiders last season

E. Exceptional pair of kicking specialists

F. The defensive line overall is strong


The Bad:

A. The Raiders have poor depth (MLB, LT, C)

B. Tight end position is a nightmare (more of a question mark IMO)

C. Switching schemes can be dicey

D. Breaking in a new head coach

E. Need Darren McFadden to stay healthy

F. Right tackle position looks like a trouble area (Barnes had some bad moments last year)

G. Where are the top edge pass-rushers and top cover men?

Exactly! Everyone here wants to bash it but not one of them can oppose one single point!

Thats funny!

9-7 would not be a dream WTF? A dream scenario would be 13-3. This team is good enough to get to 9-7 if healthy (CP3, DMAC, Moore).

Based on what? Hope? Potential? Those are some big "ifs" you have there!

CP3 - Carson has won more than 9 games exactly twice in his eight year career. Thats with teams who hes had chemistry with, who hes played with for a long time, with coaching staffs that have been in place for awhile and with teams that from top to bottom were better and more consistent than what we are looking at.

DMAC - Has finished ZERO seasons where he didnt miss significant time. Our previous backups were alot more talented or at least proven than what we have now.

Moore - Averaged less than 3 catches per game and the only thing the guy did consistently was disappear from games!

This is what your placing your wager on? You see, take the fanism out and look at it realistically and the guy is almost spot on with his assessment. Absolutely you could be correct and all of these guys could have great years and this team could do well but the reality is, if you base that on their own histories, thats not a winning bet. Like it or not, this team could win more but if it does get to 9 wins, with everything its up against, 9 wins is a dream scenario!

[kinz]

Agree with a lot of what this guy writes.

Our team goes as far as McFadden and Knapp can take them, topping out at 9-7. Could be enough to win the division though. More likely I see us fighting for 3rd. Injuries will hit. And I predict that many posters who have us winning 10 or 11 say we would have won 10 or 11 if only this guy didn't get hurt, we didn't have this stupid coach doing that, ...

KC has a lot of talent on their team. QB hurts them a lot, but their defense could be good.

Not sold on the Denver thing. Hard to count out Peyton, but somehow it doesn't feel right to me. That team has holes, and they were lucky as hell last year. Even if Peyton is the old Peyton, I don't see them having trouble.

Always think the Chargers should do more than they do. Don't want to jinx it by saying they won't do well, so Rivers takes the division.

********

IF McFadden can play at top form all year, we can compete. Otherwise, we will be watching from a distance while Palmer throws picks and Knapp gets 9 yards instead of 10.

[raiderrocker18]

4-12 a bit harsh for a team that went 8-8 past couple of seasons and will have stable qb play (no boller games)