Kansas City Chiefs - AFC West Preview/Oakland

AFC West Preview/Oakland

Jul 18, 2008, 7:39:24 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ

What to expect from the Oakland Raiders?

The sideshow never seems to end with the boys that once had pride and poise. Last season, the Raiders actually seemed to make some progress under first-year coach Lane Kiffin. There was a better attitude and the Raiders actually ran the ball on offense. Going into last season, they were judicious in signing free agents and did not throw around a lot of big money. The franchise seemed headed in the right direction.

That was last year. This is now.

After the 4-12 season Kiffin’s job was in jeopardy on a daily basis this spring. Back in January it looked like he was out when the Raiders staff coached in the Senior Bowl game. Kiffin was so sure that his time was limited; he worked all week in Mobile wearing shirts and jackets without the Raiders logo.

But in the strange world that revolves around Al Davis, the Raiders head coach remains Kiffin. And this year, without a real general manager in place, Oakland spent money in free agency like a drunken sailor on shore leave. Overall, along with the deal given first-round choice Darren McFadden, the Raiders committed to over $300 million in deals for just seven players. Here are two examples.

Defensive lineman Tommy Kelly missed the last nine games of the 2007 season with an ACL knee injury. That didn’t stop the Raiders from giving him a new contract, including over $18 million in guaranteed money. Kelly had one sack in the seven games he played last year. His money matched the contract given by the Chicago Bears to DT Tommie Harris, who had eight sacks and a Pro Bowl berth last year.

Then there was WR Javon Walker coming off multiple knee surgeries in the last two years who was signed to a big-money deal after he was released by Denver. He got $16 million in guaranteed money from the Raiders. With that money, and again trying to come back off knee problems, Walker was partying in Las Vegas back in June when he was beaten and robbed. Despite his broken jaw, the Raiders say he’ll be ready for the start of training camp.

There was also big money for disgruntled CB DeAngelo Hall, who came out of Atlanta where he wore out his welcome with his attitude and poor play. Hall was a typical Raiders signing: a highly talented player with a record of being hard to handle.

In the middle of all this is second-year QB JaMarcus Russell, who is set to begin the season as the Raiders starter. Russell’s rookie season was derailed when he missed all of the pre-season in a contract dispute. He ended up with minimal playing time, throwing two touchdowns compared to four interceptions in 66 passing attempts.

Russell will be helped if the Raiders continue to run the football, which they should be able to do with the addition of first-round draft choice Darren McFadden. Last year, Justin Fargas became the workhorse back for Oakland and he responded with a 1,000-yard season. He also got himself a new contract in the off-season. A two-headed combination of Fargas and McFadden, with a possible contribution from Michael Bush makes for a powerful running game.

When it comes to targets, Russell hopes to have Walker and a healthy Ronald Curry, who led the team last year with 55 catches for 717 yards. Also added was free agent WR Drew Carter out of Carolina (Tight end Zach Miller had a nice rookie season in ‘07, with 44 catches for 444 yards.

The Raiders have been trying to piece together an effective offensive line for several seasons. This year, they added free agent Kwame Harris at left tackle and free agent Jon Wade at center. The right tackle spot is a battle between veteran Cornell Green and untested Mario Henderson.

Defensively the Raiders went backwards last season. Oakland was 31st in the league against the run, allowing an average of 145.9 yards per game. Ten different running backs ran for more than 100 yards against them. They were 26th in points allowed, giving up 24.9 points per game.

Gone are DT Warren Sapp, DE Tyler Brayton, CB Fabian Washington and S Stuart Schweigert. Defense is where the Raiders focused in free agency, with five players added, including Hall and FS Gibril Wilson from the New York Giants who will move into the starting lineup.

On special teams, kicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler are one of the strongest pairs in the league. Returner Chris Carr had a so-so year in ‘07 and left in free agency, so the Raiders must find a replacement.

OAKLAND RAIDERS
• First Full Camp Practice: July 24th.

• Site of Camp: Napa, California.

• Added to the Roster: WR Javon Walker, CB DeAngelo Hall, FS Gibril Wilson, LT Kwame Harris, C Jon Wade, WR Drew Carter, DT William Joseph, DE Greg Spires, DE Kalimba Edwards.

• Off the Roster: QB Josh McCown (free agent), CB Fabian Washington (traded), T Barry Sims (free agent), S Stuart Schweigert (released), DT Warren Sapp (retired), WR Jerry Porter (free agent), C Jeremy Newberry (free agent), DB Chris Carr (free agent), DE Tyler Brayton (free agent) and RB Dominic Rhodes (free agent).

• Draft picks likely to contribute as rookies: RB Darren McFadden (1st-round) and CB Tyvon Branch (4th).

• Unresolved contract situations: franchise CB Nnamdi Asomugha and draft picks Branch, Arman Shields, Trevor Scott and Chaz Schilens.

• Unhappy Camper: Head coach Lane Kiffin. If we are to believe the rumors and stories out of Oakland and the NFL, Al Davis wants Kiffin out, but doesn’t want to pay him for the rest of his contract. Kiffin must have some air-tight language in that deal, because Davis still owes Mike Shanahan money from when he fired him as head coach.

The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.

A former beat reporter who covered the Pittsburgh Steelers during their glory years, Gretz covered the Chiefs for the Kansas City Star for nine years. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Board of Selectors. He has been the senior columnist for the Chiefs web site since its inception.

Send this page to a friend!