Stakes are high for Raiders’ offense in 2009

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Friday, May 15, 2009  |  Comments( 29 )

Oakland Raiders
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Expectations will be sky high during the upcoming NFL season, but Raider Nation must be patient with the Oakland offense -- especially the passing game. The Raiders ranked last in the league in passing offense a year ago, and with a respectable defense in place, the pressure will be mounting on the 'O'.

The Raiders are optimistic that JaMarcus Russell will truly seize the starting quarterback position for the long term, but that’s looking more unlikely by the day. Russell continues to struggle with his accuracy and remains sporadic more often that not. After two seasons in the Bay Area, the former first overall pick is completing under 54 percent of his passes. In addition, his work ethic has come under question because of rumors about his offseason conditioning.

If Russell's struggles continue, veteran Jeff Garcia could take the reins under center. Having Garcia at quarterback would certainly make rookie wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey’s transition to the professional game much easier. Garcia has a better pocket presence and is elusive enough to allow Heyward-Bey to maximize his speed and stretch the field.

Although it’s by no fault of his own, Heyward-Bey will be under an enormous microscope in 2009. The Raiders surprised the rest of the NFL when they selected the former Maryland standout with the seventh overall pick in last month's draft. Now, with little firepower around him, Heyward-Bey will be counted on to help pick up the slack in the passing game.

While Heyward-Bey boasts tremendous potential, his rawness is a big issue. Heyward-Bey has natural ball skills, but he drops far too many passes for a player of his ability. Furthermore, Oakland has no proven wideouts available to help take pressure off the incoming rookie.

Raiders owner Al Davis is hopeful that Russell, Heyward-Bey and running back Darren McFadden will turn into Oakland’s big three, but he shouldn’t count on that this year. Heyward-Bey needs at least one season to adjust to the pro game and Russell still has problems reading opposing defenses, among other issues. McFadden might be the most likely to experience a breakout year, but the Raiders desperately need help through the air.

Improving an Oakland passing game that averaged a mere 148 yards per contest last year should be top priority heading into this season. Inserting Garcia as the starting quarterback might be the first step toward accomplishing that goal. If that scenario pans out, the entire Raiders’ offense may stand to benefit from the move.
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About Brad Wilbricht

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft and college football. His analysis is simulcast through several media outlets across the country. Additionally, Brad is a regular guest on a variety of talk radio shows and can be frequently heard on the airwaves. To...
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