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Related Video:
Randy Moss and Raiders get ready for the season
As another NFL season approaches, Scouts Inc. breaks down every roster and offers position-by-position breakdowns.
Oakland Raiders Training Camp
Site: Napa Valley Marriott
Location: Napa, Calif.
Start date: July 25 (rookies), July 29 (vets)
2004 Record: 5-11
Expanded NFL Training Camp Coverage
Quarterbacks
These days, Kerry Collins has to be the happiest guy in the NFL. Not only does he have a great arm and three gifted receivers in Randy Moss, Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry, but his coaching staff believes in a philosophy of stretching the field.
Even without the benefit of a viable running game, Oakland's offense thrived in the second half last year, with Collins throwing downfield and making few of the mistakes that sometimes have plagued him. A pocket quarterback with excellent arm strength, he throws the deep ball with great velocity and accuracy. But Collins has been skittish and tended to force throws into coverage when pressured in the past, so protecting him in a scheme that requires a lot of seven-step drops and slow-developing routes will be a challenge.
If the protection is good and the run game is as improved as it appears on paper, Collins should put up huge numbers. With Rich Gannon fading into the sunset, Marques Tuiasosopo takes over as the primary backup. Injuries have slowed his development, but Tuiasosopo is athletic, fast and has the playmaking skills to be a possible future starter.
Third-round pick Andrew Walter is big, strong-armed and will make for an excellent developmental quarterback if he can stay healthy. But he needs to improve his decision making and ability to read defenses. This is a very good trio that dovetails nicely with Oakland's vertical mindset.
Running backs
Arguably the best offseason move by any NFL team was the acquisition of Jets second fiddle, and aspiring starter Lamont Jordan. After working behind future Hall of Fame back Curtis Martin for four years, Jordan now gets a chance to energize last year's league-worst rushing offense. He has the power and balance to run inside and pick up yards after contact, but also has speed in the open field and after the catch.
Working out of many three-receiver sets and with such potent weapons on the perimeter, he rarely will face loaded fronts and should benefit from wide rushing lanes. And he is a better-than-advertised receiver who should have lots of room to run after dump-off throws in this offense.
Backup Justin Fargas is big, athletic and fast, but hasn't been able to stay healthy. His running style seems to invite a lot of straight-on shots, so durability could be an ongoing issue. Depth behind Fargas is almost nonexistent, but expect Oakland to troll for a free agent or two.
After Rod Konrad's abrupt retirement, veteran fullback Zack Crockett has dibs on the starting job. He is a good lead blocker, and has outstanding power and run instincts. A fantastic short-yardage specialist over the years, he even gives the team a little insurance at running back. Chris Hetherington is a decent blocker, but has little upside. At the end of the day, Jordan will determine the value of this unit.
Wide Receivers
The fun factor is off the charts for this unit: No group of NFL receivers will be more exciting to watch. Expect to see a lot of three-receiver sets and field-stretching play calls to create virtually impossible-to-cover man-to-man matchups for Raiders opponents.
MossIt all starts with Randy Moss, the NFL's headliner offseason acquisition. Moss could turn in record-breaking production with so many weapons around him, and shouldn't be a distraction because Oakland's offense will allow him to do his thing -- get vertical and go get the ball -- quite often. He has rare body control, outstanding deep speed and, when focused, can be unstoppable. Jerry Porter has No. 1 talent in his own right, with the size and speed to gain separation and get downfield.
He could be more prolific than ever, simply because he will draw less defensive attention working opposite Moss. Ronald Curry, a former college quarterback who has come into his own, should win the No. 3 spot. He tore his Achilles' tendon last year, but already is nearly recovered. He has excellent size, quickness and toughness -- especially for a slot receiver -- and could thrive against inferior cover men in single coverage.
Doug Gabriel is very big and fast and isn't afraid to go over the middle. He has been inconsistent, but could give Oakland a No. 4 receiver with starter talent. Veteran Alvis Whitted still has excellent straight-line deep speed, and speedster Carlos Francis -- though small and coming off an ACL tear -- has explosive potential.
Related Video:
Randy Moss and Raiders get ready for the season
As another NFL season approaches, Scouts Inc. breaks down every roster and offers position-by-position breakdowns.
Oakland Raiders Training Camp
Site: Napa Valley Marriott
Location: Napa, Calif.
Start date: July 25 (rookies), July 29 (vets)
2004 Record: 5-11
Expanded NFL Training Camp Coverage
Quarterbacks
These days, Kerry Collins has to be the happiest guy in the NFL. Not only does he have a great arm and three gifted receivers in Randy Moss, Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry, but his coaching staff believes in a philosophy of stretching the field.
Even without the benefit of a viable running game, Oakland's offense thrived in the second half last year, with Collins throwing downfield and making few of the mistakes that sometimes have plagued him. A pocket quarterback with excellent arm strength, he throws the deep ball with great velocity and accuracy. But Collins has been skittish and tended to force throws into coverage when pressured in the past, so protecting him in a scheme that requires a lot of seven-step drops and slow-developing routes will be a challenge.
If the protection is good and the run game is as improved as it appears on paper, Collins should put up huge numbers. With Rich Gannon fading into the sunset, Marques Tuiasosopo takes over as the primary backup. Injuries have slowed his development, but Tuiasosopo is athletic, fast and has the playmaking skills to be a possible future starter.
Third-round pick Andrew Walter is big, strong-armed and will make for an excellent developmental quarterback if he can stay healthy. But he needs to improve his decision making and ability to read defenses. This is a very good trio that dovetails nicely with Oakland's vertical mindset.
Running backs
Arguably the best offseason move by any NFL team was the acquisition of Jets second fiddle, and aspiring starter Lamont Jordan. After working behind future Hall of Fame back Curtis Martin for four years, Jordan now gets a chance to energize last year's league-worst rushing offense. He has the power and balance to run inside and pick up yards after contact, but also has speed in the open field and after the catch.
Working out of many three-receiver sets and with such potent weapons on the perimeter, he rarely will face loaded fronts and should benefit from wide rushing lanes. And he is a better-than-advertised receiver who should have lots of room to run after dump-off throws in this offense.
Backup Justin Fargas is big, athletic and fast, but hasn't been able to stay healthy. His running style seems to invite a lot of straight-on shots, so durability could be an ongoing issue. Depth behind Fargas is almost nonexistent, but expect Oakland to troll for a free agent or two.
After Rod Konrad's abrupt retirement, veteran fullback Zack Crockett has dibs on the starting job. He is a good lead blocker, and has outstanding power and run instincts. A fantastic short-yardage specialist over the years, he even gives the team a little insurance at running back. Chris Hetherington is a decent blocker, but has little upside. At the end of the day, Jordan will determine the value of this unit.
Wide Receivers
The fun factor is off the charts for this unit: No group of NFL receivers will be more exciting to watch. Expect to see a lot of three-receiver sets and field-stretching play calls to create virtually impossible-to-cover man-to-man matchups for Raiders opponents.
MossIt all starts with Randy Moss, the NFL's headliner offseason acquisition. Moss could turn in record-breaking production with so many weapons around him, and shouldn't be a distraction because Oakland's offense will allow him to do his thing -- get vertical and go get the ball -- quite often. He has rare body control, outstanding deep speed and, when focused, can be unstoppable. Jerry Porter has No. 1 talent in his own right, with the size and speed to gain separation and get downfield.
He could be more prolific than ever, simply because he will draw less defensive attention working opposite Moss. Ronald Curry, a former college quarterback who has come into his own, should win the No. 3 spot. He tore his Achilles' tendon last year, but already is nearly recovered. He has excellent size, quickness and toughness -- especially for a slot receiver -- and could thrive against inferior cover men in single coverage.
Doug Gabriel is very big and fast and isn't afraid to go over the middle. He has been inconsistent, but could give Oakland a No. 4 receiver with starter talent. Veteran Alvis Whitted still has excellent straight-line deep speed, and speedster Carlos Francis -- though small and coming off an ACL tear -- has explosive potential.