Will this be the Raiders year? Probably not. Are the Raiders on the right track? HELL YES! Here's my breakdown heading into the 2008-2009 season:

While I don't agree with all the moves and signings made this off season I can at least conjure up some cautious optimism heading into this season. I will start with the negatives: I don't think too many Raider fans will argue that we paid Tommy Kelly and Javon Walker WAY too much money. Kelly, while a very effective DE, is not a proven DT and will be expected to fill the void left by Warren Sapp. Walker will be expected to step in and establish himself as Jamarcus Russell's go to guy. Both players are coming off serious knee surgeries that could have an impact on their level of play. De'Angelo Hall, while NOT over paid, is over rated in my opinion. I will be happy with this move IF he is used as the number two corner. I have seen Hall get burned WAY too often by WAY too many number one receivers and he has a history of not being able to keep his emotions under control. If Nnamdi Asomugha is left in the primary corner spot then I will not object to this signing at all as the two of them will be one of the best corner duos in the league. However, I want Asomugha to be defending the opposition's best receiver on every play.

Now on to the positive: Our defense is going to be sick AGAIN. We were horrible against the run last year, and a pessimist will point to the D-Line and immediately ask how we expect to be any better. Well, there's a two word answer to that question: Gibril Wilson. This kid is the real deal. Having him in the SS spot with Hall and Asomugha manning the corners allows Huff to move to FS where he is better suited to play anyway. With that trio in coverage Wilson can stay in the box and help defend the run. While I will miss Stuart Schweigert, I liked Huff enough to have wanted him to stay. We also have the youngest and fastest group of linebackers in the league (Howard and Morrison are both WAY under rated and are beasts) to help backup that questionable D-Line.

The offense SHOULD be much improved. The O-Line was playing great at the end of last year. The Raiders were 5th in the league in rushing and Fargas averaged 5 yards a carry. We resigned the line coach and made very little change when it comes to the line players. Russell will get the nod for the starting position from the beginning of the season. The plan is to keep his job simple - lots of hand offs to the backfield and lots of check down passes to his receivers. This works in our favor both ways as our backfield is LOADED and our receivers excel in a west coast system. Walker (provided his knee is healthy), Curry, Higgins and Zach Miller all provide big, quick targets who can shed defenders in a west coast system. While I have not been impressed with Drew Carter's tenure in Carolina, he does serve as a big, speedy receiver who can stretch the field if Kiffin wants to test the vertical passing game. In the backfield, Fargas, McFadden and Bush should serve as a three headed monster. I hope to see Fargas pull the brunt of the running work while McFadden and Bush get used as the change of pace backs. I would also like to see McFadden and Bush lined up as receivers and H backs just to give the AFC West a taste of the New Orleans Saints style of offense. Both backs are proven and effective receivers and having that level of versatility will keep defenses guessing.

All and all, I am optimistic going into this season. The Chargers will still be the team to beat and they SHOULD win the division. Their window of opportunity is closing, however, and with the Chiefs stuck in rebuilding mode and the Broncos suffering from what seems like an identity crisis the Raiders time is NOW. Al Davis needs to leave the coaching staff in place (I don't care how much Kiffin and Ryan hate each other - let them work that out!) and let them ease Russell and McFadden into the offense. We could easily finish 2nd in the AFC West, but I believe the AFC South teams will snatch up all the available wild card spots so the playoffs are still another year away for this squad. However, if the coaching staff remains in place and this team gets the benefit of some consistency (something that has been lacking for five years now) there is no reason the Raiders won't be competing for a divisional title every season. The light at the end of the tunnel might be swallowed by the black hole, but it's still there!

Update (8/26/08): O'Neal is out for the season (ouch) as is Drew Carter (no big deal). However, Russell and Miller seem ot be able to find each other all over the field, so there is still optimism surrounding the offense.