MVN: Most Valuable Network

By Raider X

Special to Thoughts from the Dark Side

Well, well, well. It’s finally the offseason and for most of Raider Nation, it was a disappointing year. I can agree, I am sick of 4-12 records, stupid mistakes and penalties, as well as close game losses. It’s become the norm, outside of the Art Shell disaster, since 2003. I for one predicted 5-11 with a 2-4 record versus the AFC West teams, so I wasn’t that far off. Now comes the big question, is it like reliving 1999 or 2004? 1999 was when every Raiders was either a win or loss by a touchdown or 2004 when the Raiders played close in a lot of games and got hot down the stretch but lost a bunch of games to a mismatched puzzle of a D, will get to that later.

This upcoming offseason is important for two reasons. You have a passionate but restless fanbase that wants to return to glory and you have the lease with the city of Oakland expiring after 2 more offseasons.

For once, the Raiders have a pretty good salary cap surplus that will allow for free agents to be signed. It has been reported that by Peter King of SI that the Raiders have 26.5 million dollars of cap room and that was before the retirement of Warren Sapp. You have Jerry Porter going to make himself a free agent.

Don’t overlook the fact that Al Davis sold about 20 percent of the franchise to investors could free up some much needed cash to sign some free agents, though I wonder how much of that goes to the bank loan which paid off the Ed McGrah estate.

So position by position, let us look at what the Raiders could, should, would do under GM. Raider X.

Quarterback-Obviously, it begins and ends and begins with JaMarcus Russell. Lance, err Lane Kiffin has laid the blueprints for what its going to take for last year’s first overall pick to start and progress into an NFL Quarterback. I thought Kiffin did pretty well with Russell considering the holdout. He gave him time to learn some plays and got him in some action. I was figuring a season like Carson Palmer or Philip “The tears roll down my face like” Rivers with him sitting out the whole year. But to see him getting a few games of action can only help. McCown is a free agent who I can see returning. There won’t be a huge market for him and he knows the Raiders playbook. He’s started some games for the Raiders and can come in and play in case of injury to Russell, He’s not Steve Young but he’s not Donald Hollas either. Daunte Culpepper is probably the odd man out, he is also an UFA and wants to start which I just don’t see there being an opportunity in Oakland for the man of weak knee and small hands. Then there is the hostage, Andrew Walter. I think they keep him because he gets paid 3rd round money to be the 3rd quarterback. If I were Al, I would look to move him and start to recoup the 3rd round draft pick that the Raiders gave to the Patriots so they would take Randy Moss off our hands.

Running Back-Lamont Jordan can’t spin move his way out of town fast enough. I still say trade him to a running back needy team though I am certain his inflated salary, much like his opinion of his skills will hinder that opportunity. Justin Fargas is coming off his first 1000 yard season but is a free agent and didn’t carry the load for 16 games yet. He hits the hole harder than anyone but still lacks the vision to follow the leader. I see him being resigned to a nice deal with the Raiders, not calling him a pet because he has certainly earned it the last 2 years. Dominic Rhodes seemed like an attempted quick fix that jacked up his chance for PT and possibly starting early on by getting suspended for the first 4 games and not being a factor until week 16 when Fargas was hurt. He is up in the air, because his deal is big but not too big to consider keeping. The obvious wild card in this situation is Michael Bush. He could either be Frank Gore or Lee Suggs. The injury history is as scary as the potential and the Raiders could reap the reward with their patience towards him. ReShard Lee spent all season and IR and could come back to become the new Zack Crockett. If there is one position that is set for 2008, it is fullback with the tandem of Justin Griffith and Oren O’Neal.

Wide Reciever-When did you think you would ever hear that an Al Davis dictated WR corps would be slow? Ronald Curry led the Raiders in yards and catches as well as possibly false starts. He had a problem with dropsies and even switched face-masks for awhile. He is not your typical #1 WR but he is a decent starter and could be JaMarcus Russell’s safety valve. Jerry Porter is an anomaly. He is supposed to be fast but he is not a deep threat. He makes a lot of noise but never has produced a 1000 yard season. He is supposed to be paid a lot but do you give a nice new deal to a 29 year old guy who has had the problems and baggage that he has? I wouldn’t, but then again, I am not Al Davis. Johnnie Lee Higgins made some decisions on par with Brittany Spears. Even though he nearly broke a punt for a touchdown against San Diego, you gotta believe that the coaches weren’t very happy with is decision making. He offered little in the passing game and dropped a lot of passes and punts and wasn’t the game breaker he was supposed to be. The first guy I would look at is Bernard Berrian of the Chicago Bears who is an UFA. He would bring speed and a legitimate deep threat that the Raiders desperately need to spread the field and open underneath for backs and tight ends. Tim Dwight was brought in mid-season and while he was more productive then the bust whom we don’t speak of, he missed the last few games and has foot issues. If he wants to come back for a minimum deal, I would do it, I just don’t see it happening. Chris McFoy seems like a Lane Kiffin project that played for him at USC. He needs to show something to stay next year. Kick returner has been a problem for awhile. Chris Carr is like Tim Dwight circa 2000 without the kamikaze attitude or vision or return touchdowns. A guy I would DEFINITELY look at is Andre Davis of the Texans. He’s fast, has shown to be a dangerous WR and KR and would cost less than Porter. Curry, Berrien, Davis, Higgins and maybe a draft pick would fill this need.

Tight End-Zach Miller had one of the better rookie years of for a tight end by anyone not named Jeremy Shockey. The only problem is that Raider TE’s have a problem of going downhill after year one. See Dud-ley and Doug Jolley. I feel that it isn’t the case here. How much more dangerous would he have been if he was able to go out for passes more instead of having to help block? Miller is a stud and backup John Madsen form a dynamic duo of receivers. Tony Stewart? I’d rather have the race car driver than the tight end. He’s a throw away and should be replaced by a better special teamer/blocker.

Offensive Line-While the Raiders gave up like half as many sacks, there wasn’t too much improvement in the pass protection. The Raiders gave up too many sacks. Barry Sims post career profession should be as El Matador. He watches too many DE’s fly by him and nail the quarterback. He should either be cut or traded, considering he has a lot of starts as a LT, there would probably be someone that could use him, My advice, trade him to Kansas City. Robert Gallery needs his hearing checked cause he still false starts too much and will hold on occasion but he seems to be improving at his move to guard. Let’s see how he can do with being in the same system, with the same coaches at the same position for 2 years in a row. Jeremy Newberry was a nice surprise but it’s a matter of time before his knees give out. Jake Grove seems to have lost the nasty attitude since being drafted in the second round. He has been hurt most of the time in his career. I just don’t see him coming through and regaining the potential he had coming into this league. Chris Morris might be better suited at guard or unemployed take your pick. Maybe the most unsung hero of the Raiders this season was long snapper Joe Condo. I know what you’re saying? Huh, but him being able to run down the field on punts really strengthened the Raiders punt coverage and made it a perpetual weakness turned into a strength. I loved Adam Treu’s toughness but he couldn’t cover on special teams. Cooper Carlisle was probably the Raiders most consistent offensive lineman and should be brought back at RG. RT Cornell Green started, and Paul McQuistan finished pretty strong. Green was just a guy and McQuistan was inserted and the Raiders offensive line had their best stretch since 2002’s Super Bowl year. I would definitely look to upgrade the RT position but wouldn’t be heart broken if its someone to push McQuistan and rookie Mario Henderson, who didn’t play much as a rookie but has the potential to come on and start in year two. If the Raiders look to make a splash here, I could see RT Jordan Gross being signed from the Panthers. He shows good size and speed to be a part of the Kiffin Cable Company.

I was going to add defense with this now but since I have been as longwinded, but more factual, as a Michael Moore monologue, I will break it up.

X

Raider X is a pseudonym of a good friend and hard core Raider fan. Every so often he comes out of his self imposed seclusion to contribute an article or three to Thoughts from the Dark Side. Look for him to contribute more as the draft approaches.