Young players key to Raiders’ offensive success in 2009

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Tuesday, June 23, 2009  |  Comments( 4 )

Oakland Raiders
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Although the Oakland Raiders have filled their depth chart with valuable experience, the young players will be crucial to the team’s offensive success during the upcoming season. The Raiders feature a surplus of youth at nearly every skill position and will depend on their continuing progress to improve the NFL's 29th-ranked offense from a year ago.

While the signings of quarterback Jeff Garcia and fullback Lorenzo Neal will provide excellent leadership, Oakland’s success on offense will be linked to the team’s up-and-coming players. The Raiders have strategically placed a handful of veterans as top backups to their rising stars, but there will be severe disappointment if those veterans are called upon for extended duty.

At quarterback, this is a make-or-break season for third-year man JaMarcus Russell, whose development has been steady since his arrival in the NFL; however, he must combine the mental aspect of his game to his physical abilities. Garcia supplies Oakland with a tremendous security blanket if Russell’s progress stalls, but that scenario would be a huge blow to the future of the first overall pick of the 2007 draft.

Joining Russell in the backfield are running backs Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, both of whom have been in the league under three years. The Raiders do have Justin Fargas on the roster, but the upside of McFadden and Bush is far greater. If Fargas is depended on to carry the load in the rushing game, Oakland’s offense could be due for another subpar performance.

One position where the Raiders severely lack experience is at wide receiver. Javon Walker is the most tenured player at the position, but he’s demonstrated limited leadership skills and his contributions on the field have also been sparse. Thanks to the lack of awareness in this area, Oakland’s receivers will need to continue learning on the job in order to balance the team’s offensive attack.

While the Raiders’ offensive veterans could play a major role in 2009, the organization would be much better off with its less experienced options taking the reins on a full-time basis. Given the investment Oakland has made in the majority of these youngsters, it would be a demoralizing outcome if they don’t pan out.
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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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