NFL Outsider Season Preview 2009: Oakland Raiders
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
mvn.com
Key Additions: Khalif Barnes OT, Greg Ellis DE, Jeff Garcia QB, Samson Satele C, Darrius Heyward-Bey WR, Michael Mitchell S, Matt Shaughnessy DE, Louis Murphy WR
Key Departures: Ronald Curry WR, Gibril Wilson S, Kalimba Edwards DE, Kwame Harris T, Justin Griffith FB
Outlook: The Oakland Raiders finished the 2008 season with two solid wins, and they hope to build upon that finish in 09. The success or failure of the Oakland Raiders rests squarely on the arm of their young signal caller JaMarcus Russell. If Oakland is smart, then they will run the ball frequently thus utilizing their talented stable of running backs.
Rising Stars: Young running backs Darren McFadden and Michael Bush are both expected to have breakout seasons. They are supremely talented, and the Raiders rushing attack was the quietest top ten rushing attacks in the league in 08. The addition of veteran fullback Lorenzo Neal should only open the holes wider. Tight End Zach Miller led the Raiders in receiving by a wide-margin in 2008, and he will be Russell's favorite security blanket again in ཅ. Wide receiver Chaz Schilens has been lights out in the offseason workouts and looks to have a breakout season.
Falling Stars: Justin Fargas has led the Raiders in rushing the last three years, but with the emergence of Bush and McFadden, expect his role to diminish.
Prediction: 7-9
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