How to Fix ‘em: Oakland Raiders
By: Matt Harmon
Year in Review:
It was another lost season in Oakland, but management wisely stayed the course with Dennis Allen and Reggie McKenzie. The cap situation was a nightmare and last year was more about cleaning out bad contracts and preparing money for the future. Unfortunately some bad decisions were still made. Forcing their best player, Darren McFadden, into a scheme that he didn’t fit into, the zone blocking scheme under offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, was a poor decision. Good coaches build their schemes around their best players, not vice-versa. Knapp was wisely let go. also the Raiders did not jettison locker room problem Rolando McClain when he fell out of favor with the staff and then released a serious of social media posts saying he was done with the Raiders. McClain has been nothing but trouble for the Raiders and it is beyond me why he was not released. Its incidents like this that make me wonder if the Raiders really are turning a new corner or if its business as usual here. I believe in McKenzie specifically as a personal evaluator, but I am not so sure I trust Allen to control that locker room. In general the Raiders need to add a ton of depth all across the roster, and it’s hard to come up with only five needs.
Top Five Team Needs:
Offseason Moves:
(Image taken from: http://findlogo.net/show/detail/O/oakland-raiders-logo#.UO3aZaVnL18)
Year in Review:
It was another lost season in Oakland, but management wisely stayed the course with Dennis Allen and Reggie McKenzie. The cap situation was a nightmare and last year was more about cleaning out bad contracts and preparing money for the future. Unfortunately some bad decisions were still made. Forcing their best player, Darren McFadden, into a scheme that he didn’t fit into, the zone blocking scheme under offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, was a poor decision. Good coaches build their schemes around their best players, not vice-versa. Knapp was wisely let go. also the Raiders did not jettison locker room problem Rolando McClain when he fell out of favor with the staff and then released a serious of social media posts saying he was done with the Raiders. McClain has been nothing but trouble for the Raiders and it is beyond me why he was not released. Its incidents like this that make me wonder if the Raiders really are turning a new corner or if its business as usual here. I believe in McKenzie specifically as a personal evaluator, but I am not so sure I trust Allen to control that locker room. In general the Raiders need to add a ton of depth all across the roster, and it’s hard to come up with only five needs.
Top Five Team Needs:
- Two Cornerbacks: It was unbelievable the lack of quality players that the Raiders fielded in the secondary in 2012. None of their starters at right cornerback worked out and at left cornerback they had to start longtime free safety Michael Huff. Joselio Hanson was a nice surprise at nickel corner, and he should be retained before he hits free agency. Either way, obtaining two starters on the outside would allow Huff to move back to free safety, thereby improving three positions in the secondary.
- Defensive Tackles: This unit needs an overhaul. The aging Richard Seymour had trouble staying healthy, and he in all likelihood, will not be back with the Raiders next season. The other starter, Tommy Kelly, was the recipient of Backyard Banter’s Thug4lifer of the Year Award (http://www.thebackyardbanter.com/the-backyard-banter-2012-season-awards.html) for his lethargic play and dreams of injuring other teams quarterbacks. I doubt he will be back at his current salary. Desmond Bryant is the only player here worth hanging on to, but they still need to add at least two new players here.
- Oh so many Linebackers: this is yet another unit that needs a complete overhaul. Phillip Wheeler was a lower-end free agent signing who came out of nowhere to establish himself as the Raiders best linebacker and a complete player. He needs to be retained because the other members of this unit can’t be counted on. Rookie Miles Burris was a favorite of the coaching staff, but he could stand to improve and the Raiders should really bring in some competition for him. We know the narrative on middle linebacker Rolando McClain. There is no way he should be back with the team.
- Defensive End: Matt Shaughnessy disappointed opposite Lamarr Houston. Houston with his size is a great run stuffer and he would be an ideal fit to move inside on passing downs. Due to this the Raiders should highly consider grabbing an every down defensive end to man the right side, and a pass rush specialist to use in Houston’s spot on obvious passing downs.
- Right Tackle: This has been a problem spot for the Raiders for a very long team. Khalif Barnes has somehow been the starter here for several years and Joe Barksdale was yet another massive Al Davis bust. Maybe this is the offseason they rectify this position.
Offseason Moves:
- Greg Olson hired as Offensive Coordinator: This is an under the radar hire that I really like. Olson had success building an offense in Tampa Bay in 2010 that saw Josh Freeman have his best year. Its hard to hold Olson accountable for the team's subsequent collapse in 2011 because it is well documented that the team quit on all its coaches. Olson has always built his teams around a strong power based running game. That is great news as Olson should help the Raiders get their best player, Darren McFadden, back on track. Good coach, great fit. Grade: A
(Image taken from: http://findlogo.net/show/detail/O/oakland-raiders-logo#.UO3aZaVnL18)
