Can Oakland get back on track?

[R8RMR]

The Oakland Raiders have suffered several setbacks in recent years and have become the laughingstock of the NFL. Given the franchise’s recent problems in the draft and overpaying incoming free agents, will the Raiders ever get back on track?

The Raiders’ front office has focused on acquiring offensive playmakers via the draft in the past two years, selecting quarterback JaMarcus Russell and running back Darren McFadden with the team's last two first-round picks.

While the jury is still out on both players, they boast extreme potential but also must avoid being the next mishaps in a series of mistakes made by the Raiders. Russell has one of the strongest arms in the NFL, but how far will that get him? Oakland owner Al Davis has historically become enamored by unnecessary attributes rather than intangibles that certain players have shown on the playing field.

Last year, Davis was unable to pass up the raw speed and athleticism that McFadden displayed entering the draft. McFadden put forth an excellent showing at the scouting combine and was taken with the fourth pick in the draft despite an already crowded Raiders backfield that included Justin Fargas and Michael Bush.

In 2009, Oakland is picking in the top 10 of the draft for the fourth consecutive year and needs to capitalize on yet another high selection. As it stands, the Raiders could be best suited drafting a wide receiver to complement Russell and McFadden on offense. Missouri's Jeremy Maclin would provide Oakland with an instant game-breaker on the perimeter, something the team has lacked for several years.

Texas Tech wideout Michael Crabtree would be Oakland's first choice of receivers in this year’s draft class, but he’ll almost certainly be off the board at pick No. 7. If Oakland passes on Maclin, Florida's Percy Harvin could be an option; however, he looks to be a stretch that early in the draft.

Regardless of which prospect the Raiders end up with, he'll be expected to provide immediate help to a franchise that has floundered most of the decade.


Oakland Raiders "Can they get back on track?" - Realfootball365.com

[draft jedi]

I've had a look at half dozen today with the exception of one they all have us picking Maclin. Everyone had Seatle picking Crabtree. Which ring true as they are more deserate for a wr than we are.

[R8RMR]

It would seem that Maclin should be the obvious choice but we could also do with a good OT. Though Henderson is improving, is he the answer at LT? There are at least 3 good OT prospects that should go in the 1st round and we could perhaps take one of them and maybe still be able to get Harvin in the 2nd.

[draft jedi]

It all depends if cable stays. Cable's coach does not need a talanted lineman And as ever there are plenty in the lower end of the draft. Maclin is a speed freak just what Al likes.

[R8RMR]

Maclin does appear to be well thought of but the perrenial question is whether or not he can produce the goods in the NFL. If we do take him, he will have the speed to stretch the field and we can only hope that he, or whoever we do get, will not suffer the "hands of stone" syndrome that seems to have afflicted most of the Raider receiving corps and will actually be able to catch and hold on to the ball.

[draft jedi]

That the glory of the the draft. Same if we picked a stud LT that was a dead sert to anour your line for years to comeonly to find out 4 years later he should of been a guard. ie Gallery. Or just after we picked them ie Matt Stinchcomb, Mo Collins

[R8RMR]

True enough. But how come other teams manage to get their picks to work out? I know that they don't all manage, but with a great many of the early picks, they do seem to work out ok. However, the Raiders just don't seem to have the same good fortune. Or this down to poor scouting? Or is it just Al?

[draft jedi]

Again it's having a bad GM/owner who should of quit years ago. Constant change in coaching staff etc.

[R8RMR]

The only constant in the whole thing is Al. The players and coaching staff can never be sure of what will happen or who will be there from week to week. The team need to have something other than Al as a constant in their career with the Raiders. And the Raiders cannot expect to achieve a great deal with the 1970s/80s approach that still appears to be prevalent.