Oakland Raiders offseason…
The
Oakland Raiders are in the midst of rebuilding the team and the Raiders brand.
Last year it saw their GM attempt to change the culture of the team. He brought
in Tuck and Woodley, two players last their prime but not without something
left in the tank. They brought not only veteran leadership but also
championship pedigree that the roster was lacking. In the draft they were
blessed to draft Mack and Carr. The new foundations of any fortunes on offense
and defense. This year the haul was glorious in free agency. It it was
worthwhile. So far Reg has brought in great talent. Not superstars but starters
none the less. Capable players at the beginning of their prime. Having said he
hasn't gotten superstars would be a disservice to what he has accomplished. Hudson
is a stalwart center and the best lineman on the market. He's brought in two
linebackers who not o my make them deep at the position, but who now make the
Raiders LB core one of the best in football if not the best. He signed Allen to
play opposite Woodson who has only gotten better playing for the Eagles. He
signed the best blocking TE in free agency, a much needed player to get the
running game consistent. We can't forget about DT Williams, a stud lineman from
Arizona who is just now getting to his prime years and represents the cherry on
top of this offseason. Add those players to what they have and drafted recently
and there is reason to be optimistic that the big turn around Raider Nation has
been waiting for is shortly arriving....
The
last decade has been hard for the Nation. Al Davis managed the cap like few
owner/GM's can and tried his best to get the ship right. All was for naught
until the lone year Hue Jackson had. Then came Al's passing and Mark Davis
taking the helm and handing the keys over to Mckenzie. The beginning was rough
for Reg. He had to cut bloated contracts and unworthy players. Had to get the
team out of cap hell caused by dead money. His first hire in Dennis Allen
fought hard but couldn't muster his team enough and was let go. In came Sporano
who challenged the team and was very respected in the locker room. But even
getting the Raiders victories over two of their biggest rivals in KC and SF
couldn't get him the job....
Now
comes in Jack Del Rio. A Bay Area kid who went to high school at Hayward High
and was a multiple sport athlete as well as an NFL player. He brought in Ken
Norton Jr. as D coordinator. Ken is a Super Bowl winning LB with ties to the SF
and Dallas teams of the nineties. He brings championship knowledge and passion for
the game to a defense that while ok last year could be great this year with the
players left and added this offseason. He should be a kid in the candy store
with the talented players who now make up that unit.
As
Offensive coordinator the bring in Musgrave who has had some success in the
league. He's got a capable young QB to groom. He will have the best FB in the
NFL Marcel Reece who is a walking mismatch that was misused by Dennis Allen. A
young deep receiving core and a stud RB in the making in Lat. Murray who showed
great flashes last year and is looking to be the features RB. There's also the
chance that they make a play for Adrian Peterson who would help a lot of the
offenses issues from last year be nonexistent.
Times and fortunes have changed
quickly. Things are looking up for the Raiders. Manning in Denver is due to
retire sooner rather than later. KC is a shell of the team that sent seven
defensive players to the probowl just two years ago. Also they have Alex Smith
as their QB who didn't throw one TD to his WR's all season. San Diego can only
go as far as Rivers can take them. They are still trying to repair not only
their defense but also a leaky offensive line that has been marred by injuries
for years now. The time may be now for Oakland. And the Nation is quite
ready...
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