2012 Team Review: Oakland Raiders

What Went Right: The Receiving Corp.

        It seems odd to say, considering how few games the Raiders won this year, but when you break it down, the Raiders may have one of the deepest receiving corps. in the NFL right now. Brandon Meyers had a breakout season, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards (79 and 802 respectively). If the team can re-sign him, he could be a great security blanket for future Raiders quarterbacks for the foreseeable future. Darrius Heyward-Bey may not have justified his being drafted number seven overall yet, but he’s definitely improved. He became a more refined route runner and still has the breakaway speed to make an impact. Denarius Moore overcame early season injuries to lead the team in touchdown receptions with seven

and show that he can still be a big play threat. Then rookie Rod Streater showed that he could be the most explosive of the receivers, leading the team in average yards per catch at fifteen yards per catch. As they get older and develop a relationship with Carson Palmer (or whoever the quarterback is in the future,) this group should only improve and make the offense one of the league’s best once again.

What Went Wrong: Health and Defense

        While I could easily blame slow starts on the offenses part for the team’s woes, I think other things were the problem. For one, the team just couldn’t keep themselves healthy in key areas. Darren McFadden once again missed numerous games with injury and was clearly slowed in other games because of those same injuries. Additionally, their defensive leader Richard Seymour missed most of the season due to injury. The Special teams wasn’t helped when star returner (and another talented receiver) Jacoby Ford was put on IR early in the season. The other main problem the Raiders had during the season was that their defense (touted as head coach Dennis Allen’s specialty) was terrible in the red zone. They couldn’t pressure their opponents from the outside and had to move Michael Huff, who has played Safety his entire NFL career to corner to make up for the lack of talent they had at the corner position. It still didn’t prevent the Raiders form getting burned on multiple occasions. Their linebacking corp. was in flux all year and they might see several departures this off-season. The whole defense needs a kick in the pants and an infusion of talent beyond Richard Seymour and safety Tyvon Branch. I like guys like Matt Shaughnessy and Lamarr Houston, but their game needs to pick up if they want to stay on this roster.

Player of the Year: Brandon Myers

        This was really a no brainer. He was consistent and made big plays when they needed to be made. As I said before, he led the team in receptions and receiving yards, becoming the main option for Carson Palmer when other options were covered. He’s the biggest bright spot on a team that didn’t have a lot this year.

Keeper: Brandon Myers

        All that and he’s going to become a free agent this year, what great timing for him. I normally am a proponent of making sure that a team doesn’t over-pay for a one year wonder, but in this case I’d say the Raiders should just pony up and pay him. Not that I think he’s anything too special, but I have to think the Raiders are still kicking themselves for letting Zach Miller get away without any sort of compensation. Myers had the kind of season that deserves a nice five-year contract. 

Goner: Rolando McClain

        I normally say that a team should a drafted player play out their rookie contract before dumping them, allowing them enough chances to succeed that the team knows they’re not letting a future pro bowler get away from them. That being said, I think it’s time for a separation for Rolando McClain and the Raiders. He’s been disappointing as a run defender and has had a string of off-the-field incidents that just lead me to think he and Raiders aren’t good for each other. Also, he carries with him a 6.6 million dollar cap figured next year. For a team that has a lot of work to do, I don’t think carrying that kind of cap burden for a backup linebacker is a smart option. I’m not sure when, but I expect to see him moved before the beginning of next season.

Should Draft: Defense

        I thought about single out a position, but at the end of the day, the Raiders need help at all three layers of the defense. A more athletic defensive end to help pressure the opposing quarterback would help, as would a new shutdown cornerback. The linebackers could use and infusion of speed and playmaking ability. It’s not going to be fixed with one pick, so they should trade down a few spots and gather whatever draft picks they can get. Then they should just take the best defensive player available in each of the first three rounds. Just my thought though.