Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
Here is a look at the Raiders and what needs to be done after the break:
Record: 2-6
Reason they are in their current state: The Raiders have not played well enough to win on both sides of the ball in most of their games. Oakland has played hard twice this season. The struggles start with quarterback JaMarcus Russell. He has not made any strides in his second full season as a starter. But the rest of the Oakland offense has struggled for the most part. Defensively, Oakland’s run defense has not be strong and it has been blown out of several games. Four of Oakland’s six losses are by 20 or more points. It lost four games by a total of 134-16.
Best player so far: The Raiders’ best player is cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Teams shy away from him in the passing game and he is solid against the run. He is the team’s most productive and most consistent player. New defensive end Richard Seymour, acquired from New England in September, has been inconsistent. He has had two good games, but he has been a non-factor much of the rest of the season. Asomugha has been steady.
What needs to be done: Oakland needs drastic improvements on both sides of the ball. Russell has to get better in a hurry, the line needs to improve and Oakland’s receivers have to start holding onto the ball. Defensively, the team has to find a consistency that has been missing. This unit is capable of playing well, but it is also capable of being manhandled. Oakland should be getting some key players back from injury soon, including receiver Chaz Schilens and running back Darren McFadden, so that may help.
Fearless forecast: The Raiders will likely become the first team in NFL history to lose at least 11 games in seven straight seasons. It set a record last season by becoming the only team in history to lose 11 games or more in six straight seasons. Oakland would have to go 4-4 in the second half to avoid losing 11 games this season. That may be difficult.
Here is a look at the Raiders and what needs to be done after the break:
Record: 2-6
Reason they are in their current state: The Raiders have not played well enough to win on both sides of the ball in most of their games. Oakland has played hard twice this season. The struggles start with quarterback JaMarcus Russell. He has not made any strides in his second full season as a starter. But the rest of the Oakland offense has struggled for the most part. Defensively, Oakland’s run defense has not be strong and it has been blown out of several games. Four of Oakland’s six losses are by 20 or more points. It lost four games by a total of 134-16.
Best player so far: The Raiders’ best player is cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Teams shy away from him in the passing game and he is solid against the run. He is the team’s most productive and most consistent player. New defensive end Richard Seymour, acquired from New England in September, has been inconsistent. He has had two good games, but he has been a non-factor much of the rest of the season. Asomugha has been steady.
What needs to be done: Oakland needs drastic improvements on both sides of the ball. Russell has to get better in a hurry, the line needs to improve and Oakland’s receivers have to start holding onto the ball. Defensively, the team has to find a consistency that has been missing. This unit is capable of playing well, but it is also capable of being manhandled. Oakland should be getting some key players back from injury soon, including receiver Chaz Schilens and running back Darren McFadden, so that may help.
Fearless forecast: The Raiders will likely become the first team in NFL history to lose at least 11 games in seven straight seasons. It set a record last season by becoming the only team in history to lose 11 games or more in six straight seasons. Oakland would have to go 4-4 in the second half to avoid losing 11 games this season. That may be difficult.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Bill Williamson
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.