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Oakland Raiders Pre-Season Report Card
By Eric Thurow posted on Sunday, August 29, 2010 @ 9:19 PM - (General)
Oakland Raiders - PreSeason Grade = B
It's now been three weeks since the first kickoff for the 2010 pre-season. Grading the progress of the Oakland Raiders, I would have to give them a B. During the off season the Raiders had two very distinguishable weaknesses; 1) the quarterback, and 2) the defensive run stoppage.
Taking a look first at the offense for the Raiders. For the past few years, the Raiders have had problems simply keeping their offense on the field by getting first downs. Especially on third downs. Their third down conversion have been subpar for at least the past three seasons. From last season, another key improvement is the turnover ratio, as the Raiders were -13 against opponents.
It has been well documented that the Raiders offensive unit hasn't been really playing like a unit. The main issue has to do with the quarterback position and how the team responded to what they had at the position. During the tenure of Jamarcus Russell holding the QB spot, their has been an unease amongst the QB and WRs.
The Raiders made two strong decisions to attempt and improve the offense this past off season. One was to pick up another quarterback. The second was to finally part ways with their current quaterback. The acquiring of Jason Campbell from the Washington Redskins and the releasing of Jamarcus Russell has been a big step in the right direction for the Raiders organization.
While in Washington, Jason Campbell was dealt a raw deal. Jason had to keep learning new language with the transitioning of different offensive coordinators for the eight of his nine years. Coming to Oakland is also going to be a bigger transition. For not only he will once again have a new offensive coordinator, but also have to transition his lifestyle to living on the west coast. Now while Jason Campbell is the incoming quarteback, Jamarcus Russell was heading out. For the past 4 seasons and after being drafted and paid high, the expectations of the QB from Louisiana State University did not turn out for the positive. Now as far as whether bringing in Jason Campbell was the right move or not, one will have to wait and see how the 2010 season develops.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders felt they needed a key player to be the heart of the defense and the one to lead the way for the necessary run stoppage improvement that is well needed. That man would be ILB Rolando McClain from Alabama. While at Alabama, McClain seemed to just keep on improving starting with 75 tackles during his freshman year, which was fourth on the team, and then improving to 105 tackles (including 14.5 tackles for a loss of yardage) during his junior year.
Overall, I see the Oakland Raiders a very much improved team thus far through the 2010 pre-season. Do I see them as a playoff team? No. But I do see them as a much improved team that could finish if not at, near the .500 mark of 8-8. I will have another progress report on the Raiders aroound the week 8 point of the season.
It's now been three weeks since the first kickoff for the 2010 pre-season. Grading the progress of the Oakland Raiders, I would have to give them a B. During the off season the Raiders had two very distinguishable weaknesses; 1) the quarterback, and 2) the defensive run stoppage.
Taking a look first at the offense for the Raiders. For the past few years, the Raiders have had problems simply keeping their offense on the field by getting first downs. Especially on third downs. Their third down conversion have been subpar for at least the past three seasons. From last season, another key improvement is the turnover ratio, as the Raiders were -13 against opponents.
It has been well documented that the Raiders offensive unit hasn't been really playing like a unit. The main issue has to do with the quarterback position and how the team responded to what they had at the position. During the tenure of Jamarcus Russell holding the QB spot, their has been an unease amongst the QB and WRs.
The Raiders made two strong decisions to attempt and improve the offense this past off season. One was to pick up another quarterback. The second was to finally part ways with their current quaterback. The acquiring of Jason Campbell from the Washington Redskins and the releasing of Jamarcus Russell has been a big step in the right direction for the Raiders organization.
While in Washington, Jason Campbell was dealt a raw deal. Jason had to keep learning new language with the transitioning of different offensive coordinators for the eight of his nine years. Coming to Oakland is also going to be a bigger transition. For not only he will once again have a new offensive coordinator, but also have to transition his lifestyle to living on the west coast. Now while Jason Campbell is the incoming quarteback, Jamarcus Russell was heading out. For the past 4 seasons and after being drafted and paid high, the expectations of the QB from Louisiana State University did not turn out for the positive. Now as far as whether bringing in Jason Campbell was the right move or not, one will have to wait and see how the 2010 season develops.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders felt they needed a key player to be the heart of the defense and the one to lead the way for the necessary run stoppage improvement that is well needed. That man would be ILB Rolando McClain from Alabama. While at Alabama, McClain seemed to just keep on improving starting with 75 tackles during his freshman year, which was fourth on the team, and then improving to 105 tackles (including 14.5 tackles for a loss of yardage) during his junior year.
Overall, I see the Oakland Raiders a very much improved team thus far through the 2010 pre-season. Do I see them as a playoff team? No. But I do see them as a much improved team that could finish if not at, near the .500 mark of 8-8. I will have another progress report on the Raiders aroound the week 8 point of the season.
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