2006 NFL Season Preview: Oakland Raiders
Call Al Davis by his new nickname, Doc Brown. He’s definitely gone “Back to the Future” with the Raiders’ choice for a new Head Coach in 2006. And by new, we mean old. Davis went and admitted a mistake, something he rarely does, when he re-hired Art Shell as the Raiders’ Head Coach. With the return of Art Shell, Davis and the Raiders organization hopes that they can return to the glory of his playing days. They would even accept his coaching resume, when the Raiders were 54-38 under Shell. But that’s not all that changes in Oakland. Shell brings with him a no-nonsense attitude and will not accept anything less than 100 percent effort from any of his players. But what Shell has to contend with is a mentality within the Raiders that complacency is okay. Shell will not accept that, and he expects his veterans to step up and lead. So far, so goodâÂ?¦ but this is only the preseason.
Offense
Shell brings with him Offensive Coordinator Tom Walsh, who will also be serving his second tour of duty with the Raiders. He was with the Raiders as an assistant with the team from 1982-1994. Walsh and Art Shell will preach careful, disciplined offense. They won’t stop taking their shots down the field nor will they play the careless offense that some people prefer them playing, but they will find a careful balance. Walsh will have some very potent weapons to work with in the system, including a new quarterback and some very talented runners and receivers.
QB: Out is Kerry Collins, who fell out of favor with the old Raiders regime and didn’t stick when Art Shell took over. In is former New Orleans Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks. Once considered one of the NFL bright young quarterbacking stars, Brooks is more known as Michael Vick’s cousin these days than an NFL quarterback. He fell out of favor with Saints management and coach Jim Haslett and ended up not playing in the team’s final four games before being released. Brooks has an incredible arm and is rather accurate. The Raiders are hoping that he’s able to use those skills in leading the Raiders down the field and getting the dynamic receivers the ball. They also love Brooks’ mobility, which enables him to make plays outside of the pocket and to tuck the ball under his arm when needed. The key for Brooks is to get comfortable quickly, because there won’t be much leeway given to him to succeed. Andrew Walter is waiting in the background and has been performing well during the preseason.
RB/FB: Everyone believed that Lamont Jordan would come over from the Jets last season and establish himself as a top tier running back. He did just that last season with the Raiders, having his first full-time season and responding with over 1,000 yards rushing and 70 receptions. His numbers could have been even better had he not missed the final two games of the season with an injured toe. He scored 11 total touchdowns, 9 on the ground and 2 through the air. Jordan is a strong back who can lower his head and punish defenders who come at him without full force because of his low center and ability to gain leverage. With even more time now in the offense and a mobile quarterback, he might have a chance to outdo those numbers in 2006 as long as he stays healthy. His backup, Justin Fargas, is a speedy running back who contributes a lot in special teams who won’t get much time on the field because of Jordan’s capabilities as a third-down back as well. Zack Crockett will be the starting fullback, but there has been noise made by second-year back John Paul Foschi and his improvement after converting from TE a season ago. He’s a good blocker, better than Crockett, who’s more of a carrying FB regardless.
WR/TE: When you talk about the wide receiver position and the Oakland Raiders, the first name to come to mind is Randy Moss. For all the talk about Moss not having a good season last year, he had a fairly solid one in my opinion. Moss did have 1,000 yards receiving and caught 60 passes for 8 touchdowns. Although they aren’t to par with his usual output, you really can’t fault Randy for the season they had in 2005. Randy Moss is the most gifted receiver in the NFL, a “freak” because of his size and gazelle-like speed. If you get it towards him, he will more than likely be able to make the catch for your offense. The other side is a bit less solid, with the expressed unhappiness of Jerry Porter. He won’t be traded according to team sources, but his unhappiness with the Head Coach will be a situation to keep an eye on. When he does play, Porter is another superb athlete who uses his size and strength to make tough catches and move the chains. Doug Gabriel and Alvis Whitted have both played well in the preseason and you’ll probably see them on the field a lot for the Raiders. Courtney Anderson will be the starting tight end. He’s given the Raiders good contributions offensively while being an asset to the run-blocking game.
OL: The Raiders really hope that the offensive line really comes together because they could be the key to everything else for the Raiders offensive hopes in 2006. In the middle is center Jake Grove, coming into his third season in the NFL. Grove is a player who can play both guard and center but will see the majority of his time this season barring need at the center position. He’s very aggressive and likes to force the point of attack instead of waiting for defensive linemen to come to him. Grove will miss less than a month with an injury, but Adam Treu is more than capable of filling in until he gets back healthy. On the left side of the line will be Robert Gallery at tackle and Barry Sims at guard. Gallery is being looked upon to be the leader of the line this season. He’s a talent who can take over games. You rarely hear his name during the game broadcasts, something which is a good thing for the Raiders because he rarely makes the big mistake. At guard, Sims has started every single game in the past three seasons at left tackle, but will move inside for Gallery. Sims is durable and punishing to defenders who aren’t ready for the impact. Opposite them on the right side is Langston Walker at tackle and Paul McQuistan at guard. Walker is a large force at tackle who can contribute to special teams as well, having 5 blocked kicks in the last 2 seasons. McQuistan is a rookie from Weber State who looks to come in and contribute right away to the Raider offense.
Overall Grade: B-
Defense
Art Shell made a move to keep the defensive continuity intact by retaining Bob Ryan as the Defensive Coordinator. Ryan comes into the 2006 season, his 3rd as the Defensive Coordinator, with an improving defense and one that featured the NFL sack champion Derrick Burgess. Ryan will continue to make the defense stronger, but will now have the input and work ethic of Art Shell instilled in the players. Shell will have a hands-on approach to the players but not to the system or the mentality of the defensive players. Ryan will have some pieces on the defense that are getting better and improving with playing time and experience. Will they be able to contend with the rest of the division and the AFC?
DL: What you get from the Raiders on their defensive line is the 2005 NFL Sack leader and one of the best defensive linemen in the game. The Raiders give you some athletes there who can make some plays. Funny enough, with Warren Sapp there in Oakland, he really isn’t the most feared player on the line. This is because of last season’s performance by Derrick Burgess. Burgess led the NFL in sacks with 16 and was drawing double teams by the end of the season. Burgess is quick off the line and can make effective and decisive moves without expending much energy. Opposite Burgess on the other end is Tyler Brayton. He played last season at outside linebacker but he will move back to his natural position, where he can use his speed and strength to get to the quarterback. This gives him less responsibility in coverage, freeing him up to make some plays. Inside are Warren Sapp and Tommy Kelly. Sapp is an NFL veteran who still commands respect and had a good comeback season before missing the final six games. He will more importantly be a leader for the entire team under Coach Shell. Tommy Kelly is physical and still improving and the Raiders are willing to give him time to learn with the vets already on the line.
LB: Depending how you spin things, either there is a need at the linebacker position or the Raiders have plenty of competition for who will perform the best. Inside of the unit is Kirk Morrison. Morrison is a second-year player who emerged as a good linebacker last season and is poised to get even better this season. He’s very athletic and good in zone coverages, something they might want to do with the young corners. To his outside, for now, will be Thomas Howard and Sam Williams. Each of them has players behind them who has seen time for the Raiders and could be challenging for the frontline jobs. Howard is a rookie coming in with good athleticism and an ability to react to whatever is thrown at him. Williams has been plagued by injury. They were expecting him to be the starter last season but an injury forced him onto the injured reserve. Look for guys like Grant Irons, Robert Thomas, and Danny Clark to compete.
DB: Youth is served in the secondary for the Raiders. Both corners are recent first-round draft picks that are finally getting their opportunities to shine. With the departure of Charles Woodson, Nnamdi Asomugha and Fabian Washington will be looked upon to be the playmakers at the corner position. Washington is coming into his second year in the NFL and is gaining confidence. He’s not just working on his athletic ability but getting better in the system. He should be a good compliment to Asomugha, who started all 16 games last season and is emerging as a solid cover corner. They should have some growing pains, but I expect them to be solid, more so than most will expect from them. At safety the Raiders will employ Derrick Gibson and Stuart Schweigert, but look for rookie Michael Huff to see time in the regular season if not winning a job outright from one of those two guys. Huff could also see time as a nickel corner for the Raiders. Gibson is coming from an injury and if he doesn’t play well could be the first candidate to see the bench. Schweigert is a playmaker who has physical limitations but works incredibly hard. Not the fastest guy or the strongest, but he’s a tough one.
Overall Grade: B-
Special Teams
K: Sebastian Janikowski has been somewhat disappointing for the Raiders since he came into the league. Everyone expected a lot out of him, but it really just hasn’t happened. In fairness, the expectations are double because he’s a former first-round pick and kickers are very rarely first-rounders. He’s got an incredibly strong leg but has struggled with accuracy throughout his career. Solid for kickoffs.
P: Shane Lechler is one of the best in the NFL, no question. Since 2000, he has been highly recognized by his teammates and his peers in the league. Lechler can boot the ball 60 yards if he wants to, or even hit a beer bottle sitting on the 2 yard line. 3-time All-Pro and 2-time Pro-Bowler, Lechler is the All-Time NFL leader in average per punt and continues to get better as he hits the prime of his career. Vital to the Raiders in the field position game.
Overall Grade: B+
Coaching Staff
Let’s be real. Head Coach Art Shell is here to put his foot up people’s butts if they aren’t ready to come in and work. It’s an attitude that they have desperately lacked for the past few years. They’ve had players’ coaches who have been more interested in making friends. You will never hear that about Art Shell. Shell preaches hard work and 100 percent effort at all times. He will leave the offense and defense to Tom Walsh and Rob Ryan, respectively.
Coaching Staff: B+
Position Battles to Watch
QB: Heaven forbid that Aaron Brooks doesn’t do well with the Raiders. Seriously, if the Raiders don’t get the production from Brooks that they expect or need, the hook could come in the form of former Arizona State quarterback Andrew Walter, who has shown potential in the preseason and in camps. Brooks is being given the chance because of his NFL history, but that could be turned if he struggles like he did in New Orleans last season.
S: Derrick Gibson and Stuart Schweigert are the starters for now, but everyone expects that the first-round draft pick in 2006, Michael Huff, should step in sooner rather than later. Huff is a gifted athlete that should get into the mix and rightfully so. Should either Gibson or Schweigert falter, look for Huff� quickly.
Player to Watch
Terdell Sands, DT: He’s a fourth-year player who has worked his way into the regular rotation and should see an increase in playing time this season. He should get into the game more now that Ted Washington is gone and could eventually take over full-time when Warren Sapp retires or leaves the team.
Bold Predictions
Record: 6-10
Offensive MVP: Lamont Jordan
Defensive MVP: Kirk Morrison
