Oakland Raiders 2008 Season Preview

Freakish individual talent on both sides of the ball will carry the Oakland Raiders far in the 2008 NFL season

Oakland Raiders Preview: Overview

The Oakland Raiders doubled their win total in 2007 from the 2006 NFL season. Unfortunately, that meant a 4-12 record. Head coach Lane Kiffin has been a great leader considering the state of the team he inherited. After some off-season moves, the Oakland Raiders became flush with talent. When it comes to pure athletic talent, perhaps only the San Diego Chargers can match the Oakland Raiders. The 2008 Oakland Raiders season looks to be a year for a massive comeback.

Oakland Raiders Preview: Off-Season

Owner/GM Al Davis had a plan going into the 2008 NFL Draft. With many picks gone due to trades, the Oakland Raiders first round pick had to be a hit. At the No. 4 spot, the best athlete in the 2008 NFL Draft, RB Darren McFadden, fell right into their hands. An unmatched athlete, Darren McFadden will easily become a starter and the face of the franchise. Teaming him with the 2007 NFL Draft’s first overall pick, QB JaMarcus Russell, the Oakland Raiders have a super-talented young tandem to build upon. With the other top picks traded away, the Oakland Raiders drafted for depth and gained a lot of speed.

Before the 2008 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders scored big in the off season. Trading for CB DeAngelo Hall, the Oakland Raiders created the best CB tandem in the NFL with their own CB Nnamdi Asomugha. The Oakland Raiders gave JaMarcus Russell an All-Pro target in WR Javon Walker and a deep threat in WR Drew Carter. Big OT Kwame Harris was also signed to bulk up the offensive line. The All-Star additions will need to come together to become as good on the field as they are on paper.

Oakland Raiders Preview: Offense

2007’s first overall pick QB JaMarcus Russell has the biggest arm in the NFL and is himself a mountain of a man. With a durable big body and quick feet, JaMarcus Russell can also run for first downs and touchdowns. The Oakland Raiders offensive line is very big and very angry but has not really played with much consistency. OT Kwame Harris comes over from the San Francisco 49ers and is a huge lineman. Versatile O-Linemen Paul McQuistan and Robert Gallery have talent and move around the line. C John Wade is a longtime veteran and will try to tie the whole thing together.

The Oakland Raiders skill positions are stacked with talent. RB Darren McFadden could be the most talented player at the position in the NFL. With a big frame and 4.3 speed, Darren McFadden can run over tacklers, race to daylight, and can even throw for touchdowns. RB Justin Fargas is another speedy runner who broke the 1,000-yard mark in 2007. FB Justin Griffith is a devastating blocker and will open holes for Darren McFadden all season long. WR Javon Walker is a superstar when healthy and is a threat in the red zone and to go deep. WR Drew Carter is a pure speed athlete and will match up well with JaMarcus Russell’s cannon arm. TE Zach Miller has speed and is a crushing run blocker that is a key to the running game.

Oakland Raiders Preview: Defense

The retirement of Hall of Fame DT Warren Sapp left a big hole in the Oakland Raiders front seven. DT Tommy Kelly is Warren Sapp’s protégé and will take over his spot as the three-tech DT in the 4-3. DT Terdell Sands is a load and will occupy many blockers. DE Derrick Burgess is an elite pass rusher and is joined by free agent DE Kalimba Edwards to form a great tandem. OLB Thomas Howard is a speedy defender and is the closest thing to a ballhawking LB there is. MLB Kirk Morrison is another rangy linebacker and benefits from the excellent D-Line ahead of him.

The impressive front seven of the Oakland Raiders gives way to possibly the best secondary in the NFL. CB Nhamdi Asomugha has developed into one of the top defensive backs in the league. Shutdown CB DeAngelo Hall comes over from the Atlanta Falcons and makes for the best pairing of CBs in the NFL. SS Gibril Wilson jumps from the New York Giants and brings his hit stick with him. FS Michael Huff is a speed-demon and a turnover-forcing machine. With insane pressure on the front and All-Stars on the back, the Oakland Raiders have one of the best defenses in football.

Oakland Raiders: Special Teams

Return specialist Chris Carr is gone, but WR Johnnie Lee Higgins steps in to replace him. Armed with blazing speed, Johnnie Lee Higgins can take a punt or a kick the distance. Any good defensive team needs a great return man to help with field position. K Sebastian Janikowski has the single biggest leg in the NFL and is probably the toughest kicker in history. P Shane Lechler is a multi-time Pro Bowler and one of the most accurate punters in the game. Shane Lechler will play a key role in the field-position battle and will be a good friend of the Oakland Raiders defensive unit.

Oakland Raiders Preview: Outlook

The Oakland Raiders will have a tough go of it, thanks to the harsh AFC West. The historic rivalry with the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs still rages and has produced many good games as of late. California rivals the San Diego Chargers will be the toughest opponents to overcome and may surpass the Oakland Raiders on pure talent. Outside the AFC West, the Oakland Raiders 2008 schedule matches them up with opponents such as the New England Patriots, the New Orleans Saints, and their newly-minted rivals the Houston Texans. The new Oakland Raiders defense will look to revive the “Black Hole” in McAfee Coliseum for every home game as the best fans in the NFL crowd in wearing their trademarked Silver & Black.