Welcome in to the regular season preview for the 2015 Oakland Raiders presented by yours truly. The NFL season is upon us once again and it kicked off last night with the Steelers-Patriots and Sunday is fast approaching. Unlike previous previews in this blog, this preview will be divided into sections into what I think are going to be important plotlines to look out for as the Raiders embark on a new season. Followed by the headlines will be the typical schedule breakdown and my final thoughts to where this team will end up by season's end. Let's get right down to business.
Jack Del Rio - The New Sheriff in Town
For the time being, Jack Del Rio is possibly the best thing to happen for the Oakland Raiders since Jon Gruden was hired. The experiment with Dennis Allen failed big time and Reggie McKenzie received big time criticism for the hire. Reggie McKenzie got another shot to find "his guy" and that next guy was ex-Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach and Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator, Jack Del Rio. If you compare the hirings of Del Rio and Dennis Allen, there is a huge difference. Del Rio brings instant credibility and respectability that Dennis Allen would never achieve. From his press conference, Jack Del Rio had one goal in mind: to bring the Raiders back to greatness. He's made his mark on this team already. He already cut a fan favorite in Sio Moore and used it as a message that basically there are no givens on this team, players have to work hard to earn what they want. Del Rio has assembled the best coaching staff he could get and he assembled the best strength and conditioning staff that'll keep these players conditioned and free from multiple injuries. If you go down the list of this coaching staff: Mike Tice, Ken Norton, Jr., Jethro Franklin, Bill Musgrave, Brad Seely, etc. This staff is probably the best coaching staff the Raiders had in a long time on paper because some of them are the best at what they do, while others coached at other winning programs at least for one season or more.
Carr, Cooper, Murray, and Others = Potential High-Powered Offense?
Christmas came early for Derek Carr. With the emergence of Latavius Murray last season and the addition of Amari Cooper to create the exciting duo of the future in AC/DC, the Raiders have a potential to be a high-powered offense. I'm not saying they're going to be "The Greatest Show on Turf 2.0," but this offense has the potential to do some damage by putting a lot more points on the board than relying on Sebass to kick field goals after multiple stalled drives. In order for the Raiders' offense to work, there are three keys in my opinion: 1) the establishment of the run game, 2) the offensive line, and 3) Derek Carr's growth and chemistry with Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree and the rest of the receiving corps. The running game is especially going to be important. Aside from the Kansas City game Thursday night, there isn't a good enough sample size to determine if Murray is the real deal. He did look good in the preseason though because opposing defenses are starting to account for Cooper and Crabtree and other mismatches like Marcel Reece and if Murray gets going, it opens up the playbook. As for Derek Carr, his preseason performance wasn't up to par. No touchdowns, 2 interceptions (one for a pick six), but he seems to have a great feel of the No Huddle approach that Bill Musgrave imported from Chip Kelly's offense with the Philadelphia Eagles. He's got actual weapons to throw to and a Center in Rodney Hudson in which he can effectively communicate with to audible and change the play and the protection. In terms of the offensive line, Hudson's addition stacks up the left side with Donald Penn and Gabe Jackson anchoring that side. The left side looks elite. The right side though, is a huge problem and with Menelik Watson out for the year, there is no confidence in Austin Howard or J'Marcus Webb to hold out that front. The right side of the offensive line will be looked at very closely. So we go back to the question, is this offense potentially potent? If the three keys I mentioned work out, then the sky's the limit for this offense.
Unleash The Mack Attack!
Last season, even though Khalil Mack finished runner up for Defensive Rookie of the Year, he ranked higher than Aaron Donald and C.J. Mosley in the NFL's top 100 list for 2015. Even though Khalil Mack was stout against the run, he didn't show too much of his pass rushing prowess. This season with Mack converting from a outside linebacker to a defensive end full-time, it's as clear as daylight that his pass rushing prowess are going to be emphasized more. In the third preseason game, Mack was an absolute beast vs. the Cardinals! He constantly abused the offensive tackles and he sacked Carson Palmer twice. There were a lot of concerns coming in about the pass rush of the defensive line and from the preseason games, Mack is making the D-line a lot more decent than expected. Even though he wasn't making the sacks, he was still able to clamp down the pocket of opposing team's offense. He was drawing double teams, even drawing triple teams, allowing guys like Denico Autry, Shelby Harris, Justin Ellis, and Mario Edwards, Jr. to create some pressure in the pocket. Mack will definitely be the player offensive coordinators will have to game plan for and with the tutelage of Del Rio and Ken Norton, Jr., Khalil Mack is primed to have a big season and he has the possibility to dethrone J.J. Watt for Defensive Player of the Year this season.
Shaky Secondary
Perhaps that this position will be the most micromanaged position on defense throughout the whole season. Reggie McKenzie didn't address this position that much, challenging the young guys like Keith McGill, T.J. Carrie, and D.J. Hayden to step up. During the 53 man roster cuts, the Raiders stocked up on unproven cornerbacks and kept only one safety to back up Nate Allen and Charles Woodson. Aside from T.J. Carrie and the ageless wonder C-Wood, this secondary has the worst depth on the team. The main guy to watch in particular is D.J. Hayden. He's finally able to get through offeseason activities while keeping himself healthy. However, he has disappointed throughout the preseason, allowing some big plays and drawing penalties. The time is ticking for Hayden to live up to that 12th overall pick and live up to being the shutdown corner Reggie McKenzie envisioned him to be. The impatience can be felt and Hayden has to either put up or shut up. Going back to the secondary in general, they are going to win the game or lose the game and they have a high chance of costing the Raiders some games and put the defense on the field for a long time. There is absolutely every right to be scared about the way this secondary will play, especially that they'll be tested harshly throughout the season against some of the best receivers in the league with the way the team's schedule is played out.
Schedule Breakdown
Last season's schedule was a living hell for the Raiders in terms of opponent difficulty and the travel considering they had to give up a home game to play in London. This year, the schedule is a little favorable this time, but it is still tough, considering the Raiders play the AFC North, who had three of their four teams make the playoffs last season and the NFC North, who had two teams make the playoffs. Referring back to the shaky secondary section, they're going to be tested harshly against the likes of receivers such as Antonio Brown, A.J. Green, Calvin Johnson, Alshon Jeffery, Randall Cobb, Brandon Marshall (considering they play the Jets this season) and they have to face Demaryius Thomas and Jeremy Maclin twice a year within their division. Luckily, the Raiders get the benefit of a doubt that they start with two home games against Cincinnati and Baltimore to start the season and they go on the road against Cleveland and Chicago. You can't ask for a better start than that. Despite the Bengals and the Ravens making the playoffs, the team does have some flaws and they can be defeated. The Browns and the Bears are definitely beatable. So it is possible they can get off a good start. The only question is can the Raiders take advantage of it? In terms of battling divisional rivals, the Raiders have a chance to beat the Broncos, Chiefs, and Chargers at least once. The Raiders don't have to be 6-0 in the division, but they have the talent to be competitive and snatch at least one win against their three AFC West division rivals.
Conclusion
Last season, we were filled with disappointment yet again because we thought the 2014 Raiders have a chance to shock the NFL world with the veterans they signed. Had they've been in their 2009 form, yes that team would've been a Super Bowl contender. But they were all past their prime and that's the reason why the Raiders couldn't win a game until the season was already out of reach. But this year, this team is filled with a lot of young talent and quality free agents that are still in their prime and in their late 20's. They finally have a coaching staff that'll bring out the best this team's talent and have a common goal to bring the Raiders back to greatness. A lot of experts got this team going 6-10 and that's a realistic view because in no way shape or form are these Raiders Super Bowl bound. One thing's for sure though, this team can't be taken lightly anymore. Yes, until the Raiders show something, teams are going to put the automatic "W" on them. But under Jack Del Rio, if you sleep on this Raiders team, they are going to give you a rude awakening. This Raider team is competitive enough to snatch some upsets against good teams and they should be coached up to win against teams they should be able to beat. 6-10 is realistic, but I'm going higher at a possible 7-9 or 8-8 season. I understand, there is still some holes to fill on this team, but a high energy coaching staff, a young team with some proven veteran players, the 2015 Raiders are going to show the NFL that the team's future is very bright. GO RAIDERS! ALL IN!
Week 1 vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Q-by-Q Reaction, Halftime Post, and Full Recap Post on Sunday, September 13, 1:25 PM Pacific Time
*Stay tuned for my thoughts on the Raiders signing Aldon Smith today, it should be up shortly after this preview is posted*
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