2013 NFL Preview: Oakland Raiders

Added on Aug 08, 2013 by Scott in

NFL

The Raiders have been a dysfunctional laughing stock since 2003. Seven head coaches in ten years, zero playoff appearances, and an abundance of draft day mistakes (see JaMarcus Russell) have transformed a once great team into a cautionary tale of how not to build a successful NFL franchise. Al Davis was a great football mind and innovator, but his poor decision making in the later years of his life will take time to repair. Here’s a look at their 2013 prospects.

Oakland Raiders – Second-year coach Dennis Allen faces a tall order this season. The quarterback position is a mess and the defense is a patchwork unit consisting of unproven youth, aging veterans, and castoffs from other teams. When kicker is your best and most consistent position, the Super Bowl isn’t a reachable goal. Toss in a group of injury prone skilled players and the outlook for 2013 looks dismal.

Player in the spotlight: Darren McFadden – It’s put up or shut up time for McFadden, who enters a contract year with a history of health issues. He’s never played a full season and is running out of excuses for his frequent trips to the trainer’s room and constant underachieving. His talent is unquestioned, but one 1000-yard campaign and 23 games missed since 2008 makes him the definition of unreliable. For the Raiders to have any shot at competing on a weekly basis, McFadden must stay intact.

Trouble spot: Quarterback – Matt Flynn gets a second chance to prove he’s more than just a capable fill in for Aaron Rodgers. Russell Wilson raced past him in Seattle last summer, but Flynn should come out on top in a battle versus Terrelle Pryor and rookie Tyler Wilson. However, settling for the lesser of three flawed options won’t serve the team well unless one of them clearly separates himself from the pack.

Fearless forecast – A lot of things will have to break right for Oakland to eclipse 4 wins. Carson Palmer at least kept them in games in 2012. They lost promising tight end Brandon Myers in free agency and are relying on McFadden, Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford to avoid injuries. The winds of change appear to be blowing in a positive direction throughout the organization, but they are at least a year away from turning it around.