SI...Offseason Breakdown: Oakland Raiders

[TDraiders]

Offseason Breakdown: Oakland Raiders | Audibles

2011 Record: 8-8 (t-first in AFC East; missed playoffs on tiebreaker)
Key Additions: CB Ronald Bartel, OL Tony Bergstrom, G Mike Brisiel, RB Mike Goodson, QB Matt Leinart, DE Dave Tollefson, LB Philip Wheeler
Key Subtractions: RB Michael Bush, TE Kevin Boss, OL Bruce Campbell, QB Jason Campbell, DT John Henderson, CB Chris Johnson, CB Stanford Routt, C Samson Satele, DE Trevor Scott, DE/LB Kamerion Wimbley
Team Strengths: RB, G, DT, S
Team Weaknesses: WR, TE, CB

Three Things to Watch:

1. Will Carson Palmer take it up a notch?: The 2011 season was an odd one for Palmer, to say the least. After a miserable 2010 that saw the Bengals finish 4-12, Palmer requested a trade and threatened to retire rather than suit up for the Bengals again. So, the Bengals went out and drafted Andy Dalton, who then proceeded to make Palmer irrelevant in Cincinnati.

And yet, in exchange for Carson Palmer, the Bengals still managed to coax a 2012 first-round pick (which turned into CB Dre Kirkpatrick) and a conditional 2013 second-rounder out of Oakland, which found itself in desperate need of a QB after Jason Campbell went down with an injury six weeks into last season.

The returns on Palmer were mixed. He struggled mightily early on, as he was rushed onto the field despite sitting out the start of the season — and needing to learn an entirely new offense — and threw six picks in his first two appearances. The Raiders finished 4-3 down the stretch, though, and had that shot in Week 17 to take home the division. Palmer finished the year with 13 touchdown passes, 16 picks and an 80.5 QB rating, good for 19th-best in the league. Oakland needs him to be better in 2012, especially in a division that now features Peyton Manning, in addition to Matt Cassel and Philip Rivers at the QB spots.

It would definitely ease Palmer’s job if the Raiders’ receiving corps finally took the next step. Darrius Heyward-Bey led the team with 64 catches and 975 yards in 2011, but no other receiver had more than 33 grabs, and the entire unit was inconsistent at best.

2. How will the defense adjust to Dennis Allen’s multi-scheme defense?: Rather than install a strict base defense, Allen (and new defensive coordinator Jason Tarver) have promised a varied look with a great deal more blitzing than Oakland has utilized in the past. That’s all well and good in theory — and the use of multiple sets on defense may be more prevalent in the NFL than people are aware — but the Raiders still have to figure out if they have the personnel to actually pull this off. Last year, as defensive coordinator in Denver, Allen ran a 4-3 defense on 38 percent of snaps and a 3-3-5 nickel package 44 percent of the time, according to Pro Football Focus. Allen and Tarver have talked about mixing the looks even more than that in Oakland, with plans to use both the 3-4 and 4-3, as well as nickel and dime looks.

All that shifting will put the onus on the Raiders defenders to play multiple roles. Richard Seymour, for example, dropped between 10 and 15 pounds in preparation for taking on 3-4 defensive end duties in addition to his usual four-man front defensive tackle role. Oakland also has to figure out which linebacker will join Philip Wheeler, Rolando McClain and Aaron Curry on the field in four-LB sets.

Oh yea, and the Raiders also completely revamped at the cornerback position, jettisoning Chris Johnson and Stanford Routt and replacing them with Shawntae Spencer and Ronald Bartell. Oakland was 27th against the pass last season so some shake-up was necessary, but the secondary will only be as good as the front seven allows.

3. Can Mike Goodson fill Michael Bush’s shoes?: The Raiders’ run game has thrived in recent years with the 1-2 punch of Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. In fact, Oakland finished seventh in the league in rushing in 2011, despite McFadden missing nine games to injury.

That success was due to Bush, who handled 256 carries and produce nearly 1,400 total yards. His departure for Chicago via free agency left a huge hole in Oakland’s backfield, which the franchise attempted to fill by dealing offensive lineman Bruce Campbell to Carolina for Mike Goodson. Two problems, though: Goodson had exactly zero carries for Carolina last season, and he’s fumbled seven times in just 125 NFL rushing attempts.

If he can’t help ease McFadden’s load — or if McFadden struggles through another injury-filled year — Oakland’s ground game could suffer mightily.

Outlook: We saw last year that the AFC West can be a bit of a fickle situation. Because of that, and because we’re not quite sure how the Manning-led Broncos will look yet, Oakland should get its opportunities to contend.

However, only big years from a number of different players — Palmer, Heyward-Bey, Goodson, McClain, the cornerbacks, the O-line, etc. — will get this team over the top. Given the lack of early draft picks last April and the amount of roster turnover, Oakland might have to settle with challenging for a .500 record again this time around and set its sights on a 2013 breakthrough.

[heavyD]

Very fair breakdown. I like how they realize that the division is up for grabs rather than hang on Rivers & Manning's nutsacks and declare them as untouchable. The Raiders are the least sexy team in the division coming off the draft and free agency but that doesn't mean they should be written off like ESPN has done. Broncos were the least sexy pick last year and look how that turned out. Really you can make a case for the Raiders finishing in 1,2,3,4 in the division which makes for an intriguing season ahead.

[ghosttothepost]

sounds reasonable enough. we have question marks no doubt but i also don't doubt the amount of talent we have as well. I look for the o-line to be improved this year over last year. That should help palmer and dmac have a good season. Our receiving corp is ready to become dangerous. On D it will be interesting to see what impact a new scheme has. we have some talent on that side of the ball as well, lets just hope we can stay healthy. i expect our CB's to be an upgrade actually over johnson and routt.

i really dont think it boils down to who we lost on our roster this offseason. I think it will be about how we play as a team. we have enough talent to compete on both sides of the ball now. If our receiving corp matures this year we will be explosive enough on O to scare most defenses. Hopefullly being so far under the radar this offseason will bring the team together! Hopefully they know they are better than they are being given credit for and go to work with something to prove!

[StickShift]

3-3-5 defense huh?

That is what Miles Burris played in at SDST.

[nor_cal_raider7]

3-3-5 defense huh?

That is what Miles Burris played in at SDST.

I think Huff will play a key role in this formation. He could play anywhere in the back 5. If Ivey can clog the middle, they may have some success.

[als_shadow]

Offseason Breakdown: Oakland Raiders | Audibles


2. How will the defense adjust to Dennis Allen’s multi-scheme defense?:

. Last year, as defensive coordinator in Denver, Allen ran a 4-3 defense on 38 percent of snaps and a 3-3-5 nickel package 44 percent of the time, according to Pro Football Focus. Allen and Tarver have talked about mixing the looks even more than that in Oakland, with plans to use both the 3-4 and 4-3, as well as nickel and dime looks.
.

And here I thought we were planning on a 3-4 base defense with Allen. Shut my hole.

How about a 5-1-5 mixed in there too? Some anonymous guy named Haynesfield or Heartsworth or something like that is available...

[smucky]

Bruce Campbell a "key subtraction?". I guess he means Campbell neglected to turn in his locker key before leaving the building.

[KrimzonR8R]

not a bad summary, actually pretty much on point. Our WR, TE, RB and CB situation isn't anything to envy either. If any of those guys go down it's gonna make this season a lot harder. We need depth on this team badly. We also need Carson and DMC to stay healthy and have chemistry with everyone on offense. Our defense has a long way to go to proving the doubters wrong. Every team in our division is gonna come after our secondary to see if Bartell and Spencer can really cover the likes of Meachem and Floyd, Thomas and Decker and Bowe and Baldwin. The TEs are also a problem with the AFC West with Moeaki and Gates. I think the only running game we're really gonna have to worry about in our division is Charles and Hillis in KC. It really is gonna come down to whether our front seven can create enough pressure and stay disciplined for the whole 60 mins so the offense isn't playing shootout or catch up the whole season

[heavyD]

Every team in our division is gonna come after our secondary to see if Bartell and Spencer can really cover the likes of Meachem and Floyd, Thomas and Decker and Bowe and Baldwin.

On the bright side last year's guys couldn't cover so if Bartell and Spencer are even average the Raiders should be better on defense. The real key will be for the defense to finally stop making every average opposing running back look like LT in his prime.

[MikeD]

And here I thought we were planning on a 3-4 base defense with Allen. Shut my hole.

How about a 5-1-5 mixed in there too? Some anonymous guy named Haynesfield or Heartsworth or something like that is available...

Are you really serious about this haynesworth? The guys a tool. Are the president of his fan club? Does he send you money to pull his name out whenever possible?

Maybe we could bring back your boy "jabustus" too

[Raidermofojeff]

Not a stitch of info that a Raider fan doesn't already know.

[regret]

It's kind of odd how he mentions how ****ed our quarterback situation was last year then goes on to say our wide receivers were inconsistent. Gee, can't imagine why that was, even putting aside injuries.

[paul0660]

Not a stitch of info that a Raider fan doesn't already know.

Yes. So happy not to pay to read it. SI has been the Vanity Fair of sports for 30 years.

[cheapshotartist]

The real key will be for the defense to finally stop making every average opposing running back look like LT in his prime.

There it is! If we can just be average against the run we should have our first winning season in many Moons.

[Da Swami]

It's kind of odd how he mentions how ****ed our quarterback situation was last year then goes on to say our wide receivers were inconsistent. Gee, can't imagine why that was, even putting aside injuries.

Exactly what I thought when I read it.