What’s Gone Right for the Raiders?

By MikeBullock  |   Wednesday, November 11, 2009  |  Comments( 5 )

Oakland Raiders
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Since pointing out what’s gone wrong with the Raiders over the last six and half seasons is like shooting fish in a barrel with a 50mm cannon, with laser guided shells, while the fish are in a coma, it seems high time we took a look at what’s gone right.

When looking over the records, roster, draft and overall team performance, not much really jumps out. In fact, if you remove Nnamdi Asomugha, Zach Miller and Shane Lechler, there really isn’t much to see.

Asomugha is considered by many to be the best corner in the league. An easy wager on that would be had by placing him on the Colts, Giants, Vikings, Steelers or Patriots. If he called one of those cities home, his media profile would be much higher and the teams win output far greater, assuring him a place in the Pro Bowl every year and the Hall of Fame five years after his eventual retirement. However, for now, he languishes in semi-anonymity on the Silver & Black.

Then you have Zach Miller. If Miller has done this well (128 career receptions for 1643 yards and five touchdowns) in only two and a half seasons with the underachieving Russell on the other end of Miller’s stats, imagine what a force he could be in New Orleans or Pittsburgh, Indianapolis or Minnesota.

And then there’s Shane Lechler, arguably the only man capable of unseating Ray Guy from the throne of greatest punter ever. Now, it’s well known a punters stats go way up when the teams offensive output goes way down, but the stat that sets Lechler apart from all others is his average which currently sits at an amazing 52.3 yards per punt.

Many great coaches have said if they could have one star player on each facet of the team, they could build a championship contender. So, whoever takes the reins from Cable will have those three already enshrined.

What else is right with the Raiders these days? Not much that’s easily quantifiable. So, let’s take a look at some of the x-factors. An example of what’s gone on in recent years in the NFL comes readily to mind. For starters, every 1970s era powerhouse team has returned to prominence recently, except the Raiders, even Dallas is finally winning again. Secondly, historically bad teams have found ways to become winners; just look at New Orleans, Tampa Bay and the Arizona Cardinals. If those teams can overcome a losing culture, the Raiders should have an easy time of it when the fog finally lifts and the sun shines on three Lombardi trophies and an AFL Championship.

The team is loaded with first round quality talent. Obviously Cable can’t make this sports car race with the big dogs, but that doesn’t mean someone else can’t. No one saw John Madden, Tom Flores or Jon Gruden coming, but they made the machine roar. Who’s to say the next Al Davis “puppet” can’t do the same? The odds are stacked against them, but beating the odds is what makes football worth watching.
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