2009 Oakland Raiders: Season Preview
By Wilson of Predictem.com
2008 Record: 5-11 (2nd place AFC West) ATS 7-9, O/U 6-9
Stadium: Oakland Coliseum
Head Coach: Tom Cable
Superbowl Odds: 75 to 1
Training Camp Site: Napa Valley, California
Training Camp Dates: July 29 – August 12
Raider Nation will once again be looking for the return of the old school “hard-nosed” Oak-town football that is so dearly missed. Let’s face it, the Oakland Raiders have been searching for identity for a few years now and maybe, just maybe, Tom Cable will solidify the team and make the Raiders a contender.
Cable took over the team last season and led them to a 4-8 record under his watch. After winning their last two games of the 2008 campaign the Raiders head into training camp with a glimmer of hope and a spark of life behind there new leader who was asked to stay by team owner Al Davis.
Raider fans have got to appreciate Cable’s optimism as he has declared that the Raiders will soon be a playoff team again. Oakland fans should anticipate a more successful season in 2009.
Who’s New? QB Jeff Garcia, WR Darius Heyward-Bay (Maryland)
Who’s Gone? WR Ronald Curry
Offense: Tom Cable will also double up his duties as the Raider’s offensive coordinator with some help from pass-coordinator Ted Tollner and QB coach Paul Hackett. Cable’s main objective will be developing QB JaMarcus Russell. Russell did show some growth towards the latter part of last season but he still needs much improvement. He has a strong arm and is not afraid to let it fly but his decision making skills are not dialed in like they should be and it usually results in a turnover or missed opportunity.
If Russell can’t prove to the coaching staff that he’s the man for the job then backup QB Jeff Garcia may step in and take over the starting position. Garcia is quite mobile and accurate, and he can lead the offense if needed.
The Raiders are a ground attack first team but if they get their QB situation figured out they could be very deadly with the pass as well. With veteran running back Justin Vargas, and upcoming talented backs, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, the Raiders will have a solid run game as usual. Oakland also added veteran FB Lorenzo O’Neal to be the lead blocker for the trio of running backs.
Tight end Zach Miller is the current favorite target and most dependable for the Raiders. However, the addition of two super-fast receivers from this year’s draft will certainly help the air attack for Oakland. Darius Heyward-Bay is expected to be the long-bomb big play receiver who can beat almost any defender with his speed and moves. Louis Murphy, out of Florida is the other WR that should make an impact but he will need to adapt to running full routes as he was in a spread offense with the Gators.
The O-line for the Raiders will be an area of concern this season as they have some open competition in a couple of spots. Mario Henderson, Khalif Barnes and Cornell Green will all go after the OT positions to insure that QB JaMarcus Russell stays protected. The key for this line will be added quickness and enthusiasm.
Defense: The Raiders will likely run a 4-3 defense and are led by defensive coordinator John Marshall. They don’t put a lot of blitzing in their packages as they count on the front four D-line to apply pressure on the QB. Oakland usually plays man to man defense which holds each defensive player accountable to hold up their end of the rope.
DE Derrick Burgess will lead the Raider linemen as long as he is healthy. Burgess is a serious rush threat and will continue that mentality. The linebacker’s are led by MLB Kirk Morrison who is an excellent athlete who has a niche for sniffing out plays. Thomas Howard is the weak side LB who can also be effective with his speed and ability to find the ball.
Nnamdi Asomugha is the Raider’s best corner if not the best in the entire league. He usually earns the respect of other teams as they rarely throw in his direction. Asomugha can afford to stray his man at times due to the respect but sometimes he gets burned.
Special Teams: Oakland has the good fortune of retaining one of the best kickers in the game in Sebastian Janikowski. Janikowski’s only drawback is his FG making as he has trouble with consistency. However, his leg strength is incredible and he normally boots the ball deep into the endzone.
Johnny Lee Higgins will assume the punt returner and kickoff returner spot; he is quick and can break out for big yardage.
2009 Oakland Raiders Schedule:
September – 14 San Diego Chargers
September – 20 at Kansas City Chiefs
September – 27 Denver Broncos
October – 4 at Houston Texans
October – 11 at New York Giants
October – 18 Philadelphia Eagles
October – 25 New York Jets
November – 1 at San Diego Chargers
November – 8 BYE
November – 15 Kansas City Chiefs
November – 22 Cincinnati Bengals
November – 26 at Dallas Cowboys
December – 6 at Pittsburgh Steelers
December – 13 Washington Redskins
December – 20 at Denver Broncos
December – 27 at Cleveland Browns
January – 3 Baltimore Ravens
Betting Odds and Projections:
Oakland has not been a team that can finish in the last few years because of so many coaching changes, player issues, injuries…you name it and Oakland has probably been through it!
Tom Cable is apparently up for the challenge of developing QB Russell, and bringing the Raiders back to the days of old: playoffs runs and superbowl appearances. The outlook is better but they are still projected to win only 5 games, so only time will tell if they can turn it around.
Most Las Vegas Sportsbooks and offshore casinos are giving 75 to 1 odds of the Raiders winning the 2010 Super Bowl game, which is fair considering their recent struggles. With an ATS of 7-9 and an O/U 6-9 in 2008 the Raiders may cover more games this season and produce more points if the QB situation improves. Luck to ya.
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