2010 RECORD: 8-8-0
(3rd in AFC West)
HEAD COACH: Hue Jackson
Offense: The Raiders love to run the football and will be looking to Darren McFadden (1,157 yards, 5.2 ypc average, seven touchdowns) and Michael Bush (655, 4.1 ypc, eight TD) to carry the load on offense once again this season.
Jason Campbell will be the quarterback after taking over last season and passing for 2,387 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Campbell is also mobile, running for 222 yards. Either Kyle Boller or Trent Edwards will back him up.
The wide receivers are Jacoby Ford (25 catches, 470 yards, two TD) and Darrius Heyward-Bey, who made 26 receptions for 366 yards and a score. Louis Murphy had 41 grabs for 609 yards and two touchdowns. Chaz Schilens is also available. Kevin Boss (35, 531, five TD) comes over from the New York Giants and will be the tight end. McFadden is also a weapon out of the backfield as he caught 47 passes for 507 yards and three touchdowns.
Oakland averaged 156 yards rushing per game behind the blocking of an impressive offensive line. The center is Samson Satele, guards Cooper Carlisle and Daniel Loper and tackles Jared Veldheer and Khalif Barnes. Top draft pick Stefen Wisniewski (Penn State) is also looking at a shot at center.
The passing offense averaged 199 yards per game and the Raiders scored 410 points, which was sixth in the NFL.
Defense: The Raiders' defense struggled against the run while doing a stellar job against the pass last season.
They allowed 134 yards rushing per game (29th in NFL) and just 189 passing yards per game, which was second in the league. The Raiders also were second in the league last year with 47 quarterback sacks.
However, gone from the secondary is Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who signed with Philadelphia as a free agent. Corners Chris Johnson and Stanford Routt will try and fill the void this season. Tyvon Branch and Michael Huff (three interceptions in 2010) are the safeties.
Up front in the 4-3 defensive look for the Raiders are tackles Richard Seymour (5.5 QB sacks) and Tommy Kelly (seven sacks) along with ends Lamar Houston (five sacks) and Matt Shaughnessy (seven sacks). Desmond Bryant, Trevor Scott and John Henderson are the backups.
The linebackers are led by Kameron Wimbley (outside) who led the Raiders with nine sacks a year ago. The middle linebacker is Rolando McClain and Quentin Groves is the other outside backer. Bruce Davis, Sam Williams and Darryl Blackstock add depth to the unit.
OUTLOOK: New Head Coach Hue Jackson takes over for Tom Cable, who was let go after the Raiders posted an 8-8 record, which was their best showing in eight years.
If Campbell can get the passing attack going on a consistent basis, the Raiders will put up even more points in 2011, which would be an added bonus.
The running game should continue to churn out the yardage with Bush and McFadden, who finally had the breakout season 'Raider Nation' has been waiting for.
The wide receivers are a question mark, but again if Campbell has time to get them the football, then the passing game could be good enough to keep opposing defenses honest. The Raiders allowed 44 quarterback sacks in 2010 and that has to improve.
The defense needs to stop the run better and look to keep the pressure on the opposing quarterbacks to allow the secondary to do their job.
There are some questions on both sides of the ball entering this season, but the Raiders know that better days are ahead after last season.
Look for another 8-8 finish for the Raiders this season as they continue to improve and attempt to get back to the top of the AFC West in the future.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at Denver
Week 2- at Buffalo
Week 3- vs. NY Jets
Week 4- vs. New England
Week 5- at Houston
Week 6- vs. Cleveland
Week 7- vs. Kansas City
Week 8- BYE WEEK
Week 9- vs. Denver
Week 10- at San Diego
Week 11- at Minnesota
Week 12- vs. Chicago
Week 13- at Miami
Week 14- at Green Bay
Week 15- vs. Detroit
Week 16- at Kansas City
Week 17- vs. San Diego
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