Training camp is only weeks away which means preseason football is right around the corner. For the Oakland Raiders this year’s camp will be full of competition, but also serve as a chance for a team that will feature many new faces to gel before the season begins.
The Raiders have struggled for over a decade, but this is the beginning of a new regime in Oakland. The silver and black have a chance to surprise some people this year while also building a team for the future. This has been a monster offseason for the Raiders as Reggie McKenzie has brought in veteran players, who will have an immediate impact, as well as a successful draft.
Head coach Dennis Allen enters his third season with Oakland in what is very much a make or break year. His previous two seasons as head coach have ended in disappointment and poor execution on the field, but with their new roster, we should see some drastic change in the 2014 Raiders.
Offensively, the Raiders will have plenty of competition when it comes to the quarterback, running back, and receiving core.
Allen has already stated that Matt Schaub is the starting quarterback this season barring any injury, but second round pick Derek Carr and Matt McGloin will battle for second string. Following OTA’s there has been a lot of hype surrounding Carr and his potential, which is music to Raiders fans’ ears, but Schaub has experience and is a pretty good quarterback to sit and learn from. McGloin had his ups and downs last year, but has recently fallen on the depth chart, and come Week One will most likely be third string behind Carr.
The run game hasn’t been very successful for Oakland the past few years, mostly because Darren McFadden has a hard time avoiding injury. Now he will team up with veteran Maurice Jones-Drew to provide a legitimate run threat. Both are prepared to share the limelight, but Jones-Drew will be the starter.
The receiving core has been mediocre at best for the Raiders, but they are hoping to build off of successful seasons by some young talent last year. James Jones was signed during the offseason and will be Schaub’s number one receiver this year, but there are still jobs to be won in training camp. Rod Streater was Oakland’s best receiver last season with 60 receptions for 888 yards and four touchdowns, but Andre Holmes is a guy to keep an eye on as training camp approaches. Last year he started four games and had 25 receptions for 431 yards and one touchdown. He has been working hard this offseason and will fight for some playing time. As always there is also Denarius Moore, who has had flashes of stellar play, but also some disappointing moments on the field as well.
Defensively, the silver and black should be a mean machine on the field. The Raiders are known for their toughness, but it’s been awhile since they had a strong defense; this year they seem to have just that, at least on paper. First round pick Khalil Mack has been a stud thus far with a lot of hype entering camp. Alongside guys like Sio Moore, Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley, and Antonio Smith, Mack is expected to be a force on this defense and have a breakout rookie season.
Last year the Raiders defense was ranked 22nd overall and 18th in sacks with 38. This year they hope to be ranked much higher.
The Raiders secondary has also been burned quite a few times the past two seasons. New acquisitions Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers should bring about some change as well as D.J. Hayden who enters his second season with the Raiders. There are some health concerns with Hayden as he missed time at OTA’s due to a walking boot. Seventh round pick T.J. Carrie also seems to be making a name for himself during mini camp and OTA’s. He is a versatile player and is making a case for some serious playing time come September.
Not to mention Tyvon Branch is healthy and ready to go after missing most of the 2013 season due to injury, and his presence on the field was greatly missed by Raiders secondary. Future Hall of Famer Charles Woodson also returns for another year with the silver and black.
Overall, heading into training camp, this Raiders team is making some noise. They are in a very difficult division that sent three teams to the playoffs last year. Oakland ended the 2013 season with a 4-12 record, but this is a new year and this is a completely different Raiders squad.
These newly acquired veterans are ready to turn this organization around and get them back to their winning ways. It’ll take time, but this year has the potential to be a good season for Raider Nation.
As the late Al Davis said, “You have great coaches, then you get great players, you have a great organization, and you tell em one thing, just win baby!” This is a great organization with a rich history, it’s time they turn it around.