DC NFL Preview: Oakland Raiders

2007 Record: 4-12

Key Additions:
Javon Walker (WR) - FA - Broncos
Gibril Wilson (S) - FA - Giants
Drew Carter (WR) - FA - Panthers
DeAngelo Hall (CB) - Trade - Falcons
Akbar Ggaba-Biamila (DE) - FA - Packers
Greg Spires (DE) - FA - Buccaneers
Kwame Harris (T) - FA - 49ers
William Joseph (DT) - FA - Giants
Darren McFadden (RB) - Draft - Arkansas
Tyvon Branch (CB) - Draft - Connecticut

Key Losses:
Chris Clemons (LB) - FA - Eagles
Josh McCown (QB) - FA - Dolphins
Jerry Porter (WR) -FA - Jaguars
Daunte Culpepper (QB) - FA - Not Signed (Worst QB EVER!!!)
Tim Dwight (WR) - FA - Not Signed
Warren Sapp (DT) - Retired
LaMont Jordan (RB) - FA- Patriots
Fabian Washington (CB) - Trade - Ravens

Offense:
This could be one of the youngest and more explosive offenses in the NFL. Darren McFadden is a stud, and he will be much like Adrian Peterson of the Vikings, the only problem is that he doesn't have near as good of a offensive line. Fargas proved to be a decent back last year, and he will be a nice change of pace back for McFadden. Finally we will be able to see what JaMarcus Russell can do. We know he has a rocket for an arm, but can he learn the playbook and make good reads against complex NFL defensive schemes. I think he will have an up and down year, as most first year starting QBs usually do. Javon Walker was a terrible signing and has looked terrible in camp. He even wanted to retire and Al Davis convinced him to stay. Ronald Curry is their #2, but I'm sorry he is not going to be able to carry this team.

Defense:
Last year the Raiders defense was 8th against the pass in the NFL, but was also 31st against the rush. The big problem was that they couldn't get off the field since the offense was so terrible. Once again they should be good against the pass, but I still don't see them being able to stop the run. In a division that has Larry Johnson, Tomlinson, and who ever the Broncos want to trot out there, stopping the run is kind of a big deal. Al Davis might want to look into getting some LBs instead of WRs with bad knee problems (Walker).

Overall:
This is a team that is still a couple years away. Al Davis needs to die for this team to really make a push. McFadden will give them some excitement, but Russell is not ready to take this offense and make it real dangerous. Still, at least offensively they seem to be heading in the right direction. The defense will still be on the field a lot, and they can't stop the run, so it looks like this will be another long season for Raider Nation.

Predicted Record: 4-12

Next up will be the San Diego Chargers

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Teams done so far:
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots
New York Jets
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Baltimore Ravens
Pittsburgh Steelers
Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars
Indianapolis Colts
Tennessee Titans
Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs
Oakland Raiders

-BMack