HEAD COACH: Dennis Allen
Key Additions: CB Ron Bartell; RB Mike Goodson; CB Shawntae Spencer; LB Philip Wheeler; OL Mike Brisiel
Key Losses: QB Jason Campbell; TE Kevin Boss; RB Michael Bush; CB Stanford Routt; LB Kameron Wimbley
Offense: After a season of transition in 2011, Carson Palmer will be the starting quarterback for the Raiders after coming over in a mid-season trade and passing for 2,753 yards with 13 touchdowns. But he also threw 16 interceptions. Jason Campbell went to Chicago in the off-season and that leaves Oakland with journeyman QB Matt Leinart as their primary backup. Terrelle Pryor is also on hand at quarterback.
Running back Darren McFadden will look to complete a full season after going down with another injury last season and missing the final nine games after rushing for 614 yards with a 5.4 ypc average and four touchdowns.
The Raiders signed Mike Goodson (from Carolina) who didn't play much last season after going for over 400 yards in 2010. He is replacing Michael Bush (now with Chicago) as the backup runner. Marcel Reece is the fullback.
The wide receivers include Denarius Moore, who put together a decent season by making 33 receptions for 618 yards (18.7 ypc) and five touchdowns. Along with Moore is Darrius Heyward-Bey (64, 975, four TD), Louis Murphy (15 grabs for 241 yards) and Jacoby Ford, who made 19 catches for 279 yards and one score. The tight ends are David Ausberry, Brandon Myers and Richard Gordon. Myers had 16 catches for 151 yards last year.
The line has Stefen Wisniweski at center, along with tackles Jared Veldheer and Khalif Barnes. The guards are Cooper Carlisle and Mike Brisiel. Tony Bergstrom was selected from Utah in the rookie draft and will be considered up front along with Zach Hurd, Alex Parsons and Joseph Barksdale in reserve.
The Raiders finished ninth in offense, gaining 380 yards per game, including 248 yards passing per game (11th in NFL) and 132 rushing yards per game, which was seventh.
Defense: This was a sore spot in 2011, allowing 433 points (29th in the NFL) while finishing 29th overall by giving up 388 yards per game. The run defense was 27th, allowing 136 yards per game. The pass defense also finished 27th overall by allowing 252 yards a game.
New Head Coach Dennis Allen is a defensive minded coach and along with a new defensive coordinator will have the 4-3 look with veteran Richard Seymour (six QB sacks) and Tommy Kelly (7 1/2 sacks) at the tackles. The ends are Lamarr Houston and Matt Shaugnessy.
Desmond Bryant (five sacks) is a pass rusher who will spell Seymour while Jamie Cumbie, Dave Tollefson and rookie Jack Crawford will provide added depth up front.
The linebackers are Rolando McClain in the middle with Philip Wheeler and Aaron Curry on the outside. Rookie Miles Burris (San Diego State), Carl Ihenacho and Travis Goethel will spell the starters.
The secondary features Tyvon Branch and Michael Huff (two interceptions) at safety with Ron Bartell and Shawntae Spencer taking over at the cornerback spots. Safety Matt Giordano led the team with five interceptions last season and will be available as well.
OUTLOOK: No doubt there is a lot of work to do in Oakland as the 2012 season looms.
The Raiders finished .500 last year, along with Denver and San Diego in the AFC West and didn't really do as much in the off-season as their division foes to look to improve on that.
Palmer was so-so in his Raiders debut after the team mortgaged the future (trading multiple top round draft picks for the veteran holdout QB from Cincinnati) last season. Palmer threw more interceptions than touchdown passes last year and that has to improve as he needs to step it up this year or the Raiders will be in for a long season.
McFadden will also be under pressure to get back to form (he had a big year in 2010) coming back from his injury problems. The depth at running back will be under scrutiny because if McFadden cannot last all season, then the Raiders running game will be relying on a back (Goodson) who didn't even play in the 2011 season.
The defense has a new look in the secondary with two new faces at the corners to go with the veteran presence in the trenches.
Oakland did have 39 sacks a year ago, so the pressure will be on the secondary (and linebackers) in coverage to improve the poor pass defense.
A new coaching staff for the third time in three years is also a big question mark for this team entering 2012. It seems there are too many questions facing the Raiders this season and there may not be enough answers to go around.
Playing in the AFC West gives them a chance to compete for a division title because of the balance (all four teams went 3-3 in division play last year) but the Raiders will face some stiff competition outside the division games.
Look for a 6-10 finish this season as the team makes the adjustments with a new coaching staff and system being put in place.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. San Diego
Week 2- at Miami
Week 3- vs. Pittsburgh
Week 4- at Denver
Week 5- BYE
Week 6- at Atlanta
Week 7- vs. Jacksonville
Week 8- at Kansas City
Week 9- vs. Tampa Bay
Week 10- at Baltimore
Week 11- vs. New Orleans
Week 12- at Cincinnati
Week 13- vs. Cleveland
Week 14- vs. Denver
Week 15- vs. Kansas City
Week 16- at Carolina
Week 17- at San Diego
This is really nice. thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete