2010 NFL Preview: Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders have been one of the worst teams in the NFL since 2002. But after bad draft picks, bad coaching moves, and bad decision making by longtime owner Al Davis, the Raiders seemed to have made the 2010 offseason one of their most positive offseasons in years.
With a quarterback with a strong work ethic (Jason Campbell), and improvements on the offensive side of the ball, and a already solid defense, while the Raiders are not quite a playoff team, they are heading back to respectability. If all the cards fall right and stay healthy, they really could be a surprise. With that said, Technorati goes inside the Oakland Raiders.
Recap:
- 2009 Record: (5-11, 3rd AFC West, missed playoffs)
- Key Additions: QB Jason Campbell, RB Michael Bennett, RB Rock Cartwright, G Daniel Loper, NT John Henderson, DE/OLB Quentin Groves, OLB Kamerion Wimbley.
- Key Departures: QB JaMarcus Russell, RB Justin Fargas, FB Gary Russell, OT Cornell Green, DE Greg Ellis, NT Gerard Warren, OLB Jon Alston, ILB Kirk Morrison, ILB Isaiah Ekejiuba.
Overview
Offense: Well the Raiders did the best thing they have done during this dark abyss of futility, and that was get rid of JaMarcus Russell. Russell was never focused, and never wanted to improve his game and make his team better. The negative attitude translated to his teammates, and it was apparent that if the quarterback was not going to fight to make his team better, why should the team make the player better. Even when Bruce Gradkowski took snaps, the team had so much more fight, and they showed they had a will to win. It goes to show that hard work is contagious, and if you do not work hard, you will not succeed in this league. So while Russell is sippin' sizurp in Alabama, the Raiders acquired Jason Campbell via free agency. Campbell is a hard worker, who is always looking to improve his game. In fact, Al Davis compared Campbell to Raiders' legend Jim Plunkett, and while many have labeled Al as delusional over the years, he might have a point here. Plunkett struggled for his first six seasons before coming to the Raiders, and the Raiders enjoyed success afterwards. Also, Campbell has to know virtually every single offense in the NFL with the revolving door of coaches in Washington. One thing is for certain, this team will play for Campbell, and he should be fine as long as he's healthy.
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