Ahhhh my Oakland Raiders. I’ve been a lifelong Raider fan and it pains me to witness what my beloved team has become. The Raiders finished 5-11 in 2008 leaving the Raider Nation with another year of pain. I have written (and will continue to write) several articles on the prospects for the Raiders as a team heading into 2009. However, for the sake of this article, I will examine the Raiders solely from a fantasy perspective. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the fantasy potential of the Silver and Black for 2009.
It’s no secret that I’m not convinced that JaMarcus Russell is an NFL quarterback and that I appreciate him less as a fantasy quarterback. To be frank, Russell has shown very little to me and other members of the Raider Nation in his 3 years in the league. He obviously has the cannon arm, but it takes a lot more than that to be a successful NFL quarterback, just ask Jeff George. Also, Russell hasn’t shown much of a work ethic since the Raiders invested most of their franchise with him 3 years ago. Truth be told, I wanted and still wished the Raiders had selected Brady Quinn over Russell, as I think Quinn has all the tools to be a good quarterback in this league for a long time if the Browns ever hit him. the opportunity. I just don’t see that in Russell and apparently the Raiders are also worrying or wouldn’t have signed free agent QB Jeff Garcia as Russell’s “backup.” I have news for you, friends. If Russell starts off slow, which is a real possibility, since the Raiders have an absolutely brutal schedule this year, Garcia will be there. Until Russell shows some fire under his butt, stay away from him on draft day this August, even as a No. 2 quarterback.
As low as I am in Russell, I am as high in the Raiders running game and in my estimation, if the Raiders hit the ball all year long using the 3-headed monster that they currently have on the roster, I really believe this team he can go 8-8. First, Darren McFadden will break this year with a total of 1,100-1300 yards and 12 TDs overall. Count on that. Why am I so sure of that? A couple of different reasons. First, Dmac is too good. His rookie campaign was derailed in large part due to a stubborn toe injury that hampered him for virtually the entire year. Make no mistake about it. In terms of sheer talent, McFadden is better than Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, and Steve Slaton. Additionally, Dmac has been proactive regarding the aforementioned toe injury by having the Raiders coach attach a steel plate to his shoe to help prevent the injury from happening again. Ultimately, the Raiders hired ram specialist Lorenzo Neal specifically to block McFadden and help him launch his career. McFadden is the real deal. Get him between the 3rd and 5th rounds as RB number 2 and watch him explode.
In addition to McFadden, the Raiders also sport 2 other good endorsements in Justin Fargas and Michael Bush. If I’m a gambling man, I’m thinking Fargas will be the stranger this year. If McFadden gets hot early on, I think he will, Fargas won’t see much of the field. Bush, however, will have a role regardless. The nation saw exactly what Bush is capable of as a running back in the Week 17 finale against the Buccaneers when he rushed for 177 yards and 2 TDs in a game Tampa needed to win to make the playoffs and ultimately cost the coach. Tampa chief and former Raider Trainer Jon Gruden his job. If it hadn’t been for the broken leg he suffered in Louisville, Bush would certainly have been one of the top ten picks and the Raiders stole him in the fourth round a few years ago. Bush will surely continue to view the job this year as a goal line / short yards and don’t be afraid to shoot him with a pick in rounds 12 and beyond. As for Fargas, I personally wouldn’t waste a pick on him because, unless McFadden gets hurt this year, I don’t see him putting up any kind of statistically worthwhile numbers.
Unlike the Raiders’ running attack, the team’s receiving corps is rife with controversy and question marks. Al Davis surprised me and the rest of the world when he selected WR Darrius Heyward-Bey over Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin. It’s obvious to me and everyone else that really the only variable Mr. Davis cares about when evaluating players is the 40-yard rushing time. I will not go into Davis here as it is not the proper format as this is a Raiders related article from a fantasy perspective only. Does Heyward-Bey have any fantasy potential for 2009? Yes. Would I cheat on him? Yes, but not before round 13-14 and if someone like Maclin or Percy Harvin is still on the board, I’d take anyone ahead of Heyward-Bey. However, from a fantasy point of view, Heyward-Bey has some things that work for him. First, he is already the No. 1 receiver on the team and Mr. Davis has made his intentions perfectly clear that he intends to try to get the ball deep to the sprinter early on. If you’re in a league like mine that rewards you with bonus points for long TD runs and catches, then a late flight at Heyward-Bey is worth a try because the law of averages says it will catch at least some bombs. from Russell this year. Another catcher who could see an increase in production if Russell develops the way the franchise needs him is Johnny Lee Higgings. Higgins represents a good talent in both the WR position and kick / kick return. Similarly to Heyward-Bey, try attacking Higgins late and if Russell can finally get his head off his butt, you may see some dividends from him as the year progresses. Chad Shillings and Florida rookie Louis Murphy are 2 other Raider receivers to watch out for this fall.
TE Zach Miller could be the biggest beneficiary if Russell advances. Miller began making a name for himself last year by catching 56 passes for 778 yards and 1 TD. Both receptions and yards carried the Raiders receivers by a mile and while the 1 TD is disappointing, Miller will surely improve on that in 2009. Miller along with Chicago’s Greg Olson are my 2 dark horse TE candidates for next time. season. Olson has the best quarterback, but Russell and Miller seemed to form good chemistry last year, and if that continues, Miller has the talent to be an elite NFL TE.
Raiders DST should be avoided at all costs until the unit proves otherwise. Last year, the team was ranked 31st against the race and was hit on the ground for the entire year. The disabled list was a complete disaster and LB Tommy Kelley, who normally anchors the unit, had a bad year. The secondary is led by one of the best coverage corners in the game with Nnamdi Asomugha, who just signed a contract extension this offseason. Asomugha is the current Lester Hayes and is truly one of the best at the CB position in the NFL. The bottom line, however, is that it goes without saying that there are far better options at the DST position than the Raiders and should not be considered under any circumstances under any format. In leagues where kickers are rewarded with bonus points for FGs over 50 yards, kicker Sebastian Janikowski may be of some value, as he still has the same leg he had when leaving FSU.
To conclude my review of the Raiders, I strongly suggest that you take a good look at McFadden as the No. 2 running back for 2009. I’m telling you he’s going to have a great year right now and I also like TE Miller. As for the other Raiders, there is nothing to get excited about a fantasy future. Next up: the Kansas City Chiefs.
