Raiders : Season 3 Preview

Oakland Ca N.I.



After a season of QB roulette, the Raider organization had got into a closing season rhythm with David Hansen, then the Cowboys ownership changed and came a knocking.


Much deliberation and consideration led to the deal that brought Matt Ryan to the West Coast, the deal was monster in terms concerning personnel leaving.


Working with a new playbook, the Raiders had some end of season wins, and some losses, hopefully with a new QB, WR and TE to aim for, the Raiders wont have to rely so much on Run DMC breaking tackles to win games.



Players Out :

Following the cutting of QB's Jason Campbell and Matt Gullary before the end of season. Gullary was picked up by the Brisbane Bears and sent to the Cowboys in a deal,( the dirty hoodlum!) and Campbell walked off into the retirement sunshine like Donovan McNabb the season before.


DT Richard Seymour : After carrying his top heavy contract of 15 million for 2 years, a deal was forged that took the D talisman to the SAC II Champs.


ROLB Kamerion Wimberly : The reason the Seymour deal went through, with his every expanding contract, the Raiders would only bundle Seymour if they got a ROLB wanting less.


RG Brandon Anderson : 3rd Round Rookie sensation, he started all last season and it was a piece meal in the above deal to make it go through, very sorry to see my young rookie, move on.



CB Stanford Routt : Part of the deal that brought a new QB to the club, Routt has since been traded on and has arrived at the BengalSeats.


CB Shawntae Spencer : Moved to the Cowboys and has since been released.


LE Lamarr Houston : The 1st Season Pro Bowler was the leverage that brought the QB to Oakland, he has since been traded to the Colts.


LG Stefan Winskewski : 2 Season started, went to the Cowboys and has since ended up in Minnesota


TE David Ausberry : Coming off an impressive season after getting the starting position from Kevin Boss, this was the final piece of the deal.


WR Jacoby Ford : Sent to the Bolts in return for what was their 1st Round pick and 3rd next season


FS Dontarvis Norris : The final pick of this years draft was sent away minutes after being drafted to the Rams with the Bolts 3rd Round this season and own this season.

FS Michael Huff : Finding it hard to shift Huff, the Raiders decided to drop the multi millionaire to save CAP and hit FA with money bags.


SS Michael Mitchell : Stepped his game up when Branch was injured last season hitting a career high 20 tackles and 4 FF's in only 4 starts.


ROLB Ernie Sims : Played a single season at the Raiders, but was the pick of the LB's from that season, heading to Dallas.


Players In :

QB Matt Ryan : Coming from Dallas Cowboys, he came in with a massive CAP hit, 13 million, final year of his contract, he has been resigned for next season at 11 million, this a huge upgrade overall for a team starting 65 rated QB's at the end of the season. Will it end up more picks than TD's as has been the last couple of years or will this season be different.


CB Mike Jenkins : Part of the deal that brought Ryan to the coast, with 2 out going CB's in the deal, the Raiders needed some help coming in at CB, that was Mike Jenkins, an ever improving corner early in his career.

LG Carl Nicks : Also in the deal from the Cowboys, this All-Pro lineman will look to hit the ground running and all DT's in front of him hoping to break open holes for the HB's


ROLB Keith Rivers : The cornerstone of the deal that sent away some amazing pieces of the Raiders D, Rivers was the single player to make the deal work, having a very modest salary, his arrival ensured the departure of a few big money players.


RE Terik Lewis : Coming from the SAC II Champs, surely this player will help shore up the end now Lamarr has gone.


RT Eric Winston : Another Champion winning player, bringing his talent to the O line should only help the Raiders.


DT Isaac Sopoaga : Trying to feel a very big Seymour sized hole with 1 player will be impossible, but hopefully Sopoaga will shed enough blocks to make some plays.


WR Tyrell Coleman : Taken 5th overall, the Raiders having got a top QB needed some top WR help to make plays, they can but hope that Coleman will do it all


TE Stephen Cole : With the Bolts 1st Round Pick, they went for a TE to fill the void left by David Ausberry, this player attracted alot of attention, but will be a cornerstone if the Raiders are to be successful this season.

SS Adonis Burchette : Having drafted a FS, the Raiders then turned him round and traded him to the Rams to secure Tyvon Branch mk II, here's hoping he has as good a season this year as Tyvon had last year.


TE Jeremy Shockey : Picked up off FA waivers after the FA bidding period ended.


HB DeAngelo Williams : Looking at 1 more HB to fill the roster out, the Raiders had been looking at Ryan Grant and Bilal Powell from FA, but when the call came in that the Cowboys owner so wanted Williams out he would drive him to Oakland himself, the Raiders had to deal.


LE Tyson Jackson : A FA bidding signing to help shore up the end following Houstons departure


DT Remi Ayodele : Another FA signing.


CB Alveron Beasley : One more FA signing, however his Oakland career could be over before his season begins.


LOLB Victor So'oto : With Ernie Sims going, the Raiders needed some sort of LB cover.
WR Terrence Toliver : Having been out bid on several return guys in FA, the Raiders had a look in FA for a low rated B pot who could play a roll if given a chance.


The Raiders had only 3 picks in the draft, all within the 1st Round, and have sent all their picks for next seasons draft away on deals to bring the players in.


So the future has gone, we have the here and now to do something, or hope next years FA is more exciting than this past years was, with players going up in CAP, the Raiders do have some to play around with should deals come there way though.


Season Prediction : PLAYOFFS? PLAYOFFS? Yes that is only something the Raiders can dream of, an 8-8 season would be a step forward for this team as 3 losing seasons on the spin for Coach Ward has been tough. With the AFC West being as arguably as tough as the NFC West, it will be hard to break even, having had 1-5 division records twice on the spin. Rome wasnt built in a day, but at least they used concrete, here's hoping a set team for 2 seasons will help the Raiders to a .500 season or better sometime!

Even as an actual Chargers fan and being in the same division as you Carl, I'm rooting for you to have a turn-around season!