ESPN Insider Scouts - Raiders

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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.

 

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Tight End
The Raiders liked enough of what they saw from Teyo Johnson at the end of last season to trade veteran Doug Jolley to the New York Jets in April. After a slow start in '04, Johnson really came on and now is poised for what could be a breakout year.

A former college wide receiver, he is the ultimate pass-catching threat at tight end. He lacked ideal speed at wideout, but is sure-handed, very tall and well-built. He can pressure defenses on vertical routes, make difficult catches downfield and should be a nightmare matchup for safeties and linebackers. What Johnson fails to provide as a blocker likely will be picked up by Courtney Anderson, last year's rookie surprise, who suffered a season-ending knee in Week 8.

Anderson has outstanding size and is coming along as a blocker, and his big frame, soft hands and fluid routes make him a nice possession option. Backups Zeron Flemister and Josh Norman have shown flashes of potential at other stops, but both are new to the offense and neither is a potential game-breaker.

Johnson and Anderson already give Oakland a quality 1-2 punch, and both are young enough to continue developing. Still, with the Raiders expected to use so many three-receiver sets, the tight ends might seem lost in the passing game at times.

Offensive line
The key to Oakland's offense could well be the performance of this group, primarily in pass protection. The Raiders have a nucleus of seven quality linemen, but there has been a lot of movement here and continuity could be an early problem.

Second-year stud Robert Gallery will continue to start at right tackle until left tackle Barry Sims turns over the position. Gallery is big, physical and outstanding in the run game, but still has some rough edges in pass protection, especially vs. speed rushers. He has a great mental approach and should dramatically improve with experience. Sims, an outstanding technician and consistent performer, provides this unit with stability and maturity.

The Raiders hope massive Langston Walker, who has great measurables and has played some tackle, will find a home at left guard. He is a chronic waist-bender, but probably can handle himself inside by simply engulfing and overpowering defenders.

Projected left guard Brad Badger lacks flash, but is effective. He has enough size to handle powerful defensive tackles. Jake Grove likely will move from guard to center, his college position. An outstanding prospect, he is athletic, takes excellent angles and plays best when left uncovered. Adam Treu, a finesse player who started at center last year, and Ron Stone, a creaky vet who is a tough mauler when healthy, are quality backups. This could be the league's biggest and most physical line, but the team must find a lineup it is comfortable with early to allow the unit time to gel.

Defensive line
The Raiders' defensive coordinator, Rob Ryan, really struggled in 2004, as he tried to transform this defensive line into a 34 scheme, but it simply didn't suit the personnel they had on board, and in all likelihood, we will see the Raiders going back to a lot more 43 defensive schemes in 2005. This is a defensive line that a year ago, got very little pressure on the QB, and also did a poor job of playing run defense, and those are the two areas of focus heading into training camp.

The guy who will most benefit in the revived 43 scheme, will probably be Warren Sapp, who did not look at home at all as a DE in the 34 scheme, but will move back to his comfortable ROT position and should become a penetrating force inside, not only as a run defender, but as an interior pass rusher. This is a Pro Bowl type player who only had 42 tackles and 2.5 sacks a year ago, and is simply not good enough.

The LDT position will likely go to massive Ted Washington, who was at home as a NT in the 34 scheme, but should be fine as a 43 DT, as a two gap read and react run defender, who can certainly handle opposing rushing attacks, but will probably not provide a lot of inside push as a pass rusher. He can be effective in protecting his linebackers and letting them fly to the ball and make plays.

Backup help inside will come from ex-New Orleans DT, Kenny Smith, who has some inside quickness and pass rush skills, but his career has been nearly wiped out by injuries so far and durability is obviously a huge question mark. Huge Terdell Sams could provide an inside push, and has excellent power and the ability to move and collapse the pocket, but has not yet lived up to his potential, and for a young player, he is already well traveled.

The wild card of the group, could be young Tommy Kelly, who was an undrafted free agent a year ago, and has good size, outstanding quickness and first step explosiveness. He can play a little bit on the edge, and also is an outstanding candidate to play inside in nickel situations, and possibly spell Ted Washington, combining with Sapp to give the Raiders a good inside pass rush.

On the edge, the big free-agent acquisition for the Raiders was ex-Philadelphia Eagle, Derrick Burgess, who lacks great size and is not an ideal match up vs. the run, because he can be overpowered. He does have excellent speed and athleticism as a wide edge rusher, but key for him is to stay healthy. He has been an injury waiting to happen thus far in his NFL career, and penciling him in for 16 games is certainly a little risky. If healthy, the Raiders would love to see a potential double digit sack year from him.

 

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At RDE, Taylor Brayton should be much more at home as a 43 DE, than he was as a rush OLB in the 34 scheme a year ago. He has outstanding speed off the edge, and is an explosive rusher with an excellent motor, but much like Burgess, he is not great vs. the run even though his effort is outstanding. Backup help at DE will come from veteran Bobby Hamilton, who may be starting to slow down, but actually played with good consistency in 2004, and is the one guy at DE who can play the run successfully, but is not a long term answer.

The other backup at DE will likely be Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, who is primarily a nickel rusher and a speed guy off the edge with an outstanding motor. The move from a 34 to a 43 should improve the production of this unit, but there is still a lot of work to be done, and there are a lot of guys who will have to adapt to new roles. Health and durability will certainly be a question mark, but this unit doesn't have anywhere to go but up in 2005.

Linebackers
Oakland misjudged this unit a year ago, which is one reason the team is switching back to a 4-3 scheme. Now, with its best linebacker, Napoleon Harris, dealt to Minnesota in the Randy Moss trade, this position is full of question marks. Projected middle linebacker Danny Clark was the team's leading tackler last season, but isn't a step-up-and-fill player. He tends to catch blockers and just doesn't make enough plays at the line of scrimmage.

The coaching staff likes Sam Williams, who likely will start on the strong side. He has good size and should hold up well vs. the run, but his best fit probably was as a 3-4 edge rusher. Concerns exist about his durability and aptitude in coverage. Travian Smith probably will start on the weak side, but he never has lived up to the promise of his athleticism. He just isn't around the ball enough, and at age 30, isn't likely to develop any further. Reserve DeLawrence Grant is serviceable but hardly exciting.

After that, there is a greater dropoff. Tim Johnson is undersized, but experienced, and rookie third-rounder Kirk Morrison is big and physical, but is stiff and needs seasoning. Still, Morrison could become the primary backup inside and be groomed for starting duty even sooner than expected. Oakland won't completely scrap its 3-4 schemes, so ends Tyler Brayton and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila give this group a little more depth and versatility, but it is far from a finished product.

Defensive Backs
The talent level here isn't bad, but consistency has been a serious problem. Cornerback Charles Woodson -- whom the Raiders made their franchise player, then unsuccessfully tried to trade in the offseason -- is the poster boy for this unit. Opinions on Woodson vary, but one thing seems clear: He isn't playing up to his ability. He can turn and run in man-to-man schemes and shut down elite NFL receivers when focused, but he gambles, jumps routes and gives up big plays too often.



WoodsonThe Raiders need Woodson to be a defensive cornerstone, and that is a dicey prospect. Nnamdi Asomugha, a first-round pick in '03, is big, athletic and fast, but still very raw for a player being counted on to start. Strong safety Derrick Gibson has a world of talent, but missed all of last season (dislocated shoulder) and was a chronic underachiever before his injury. If he can merely hold his own as a starter, it is gravy for Oakland.

Free safety Stuart Schweigert has the size, feet and athleticism to be a playmaker, but isn't very fluid in coverage. Backup corners Renaldo Hill and Denard Walker are experienced and quick, but lack recovery speed. Athletic and fast, first- and second-round picks Fabian Washington and Stanford Routt are wild cards in '05.

Reserve safeties Marques Anderson and Jarrod Cooper are liabilities in space, and poor cover guys. The Raiders need career years out of some underachievers and rapid development by the rookies to make this unit a strength.

Special teams
A rare bright spot for Oakland last season was the kicking game. The Raiders might have the best tandem of legs in the league in punter Shane Lechler and kicker Sebastian Janikowski. Both have astonishing leg strength and are accurate and consistent in their fields, and both are in their primes and should continue to play at an elite level.

The return game is a little less certain, though Doug Gabriel has excellent speed and experience returning kickoffs. He isn't very elusive, though, and didn't break many big plays in '04. Gabriel also could get a shot at punt returns, as Oakland tries to fill the void left by the departure of Phillip Buchanon, but his size and straight-line running style aren't the best fit for the job.

Top draft picks Fabian Washington and Stanford Routt -- who both returned kicks in college -- should get long looks, but the job ultimately could fall to Ronald Curry. A lot of speedy, athletic bodies are in the mix here, and the picture might not clear up until well after training camp.

The Raiders finished near the bottom of the league in punt-return and kickoff-return differential last year. The outlook is improving, but the team lacks enough quality athletes with the instincts, discipline and tackling ability to consistently make plays on cover teams.

Coaching
Head coach Norv Turner's power running and vertical passing scheme is a hand-in-glove fit with the Raiders, and the front office has gone out of its way to provide the coaching staff with the personnel to make the offense hum. It's a good thing, too, because this team likely will need to score in bunches to cover for a weak defense and win games.

Oakland ranked dead last in time of possession last year, which could change dramatically now that running back LaMont Jordan is wearing silver and black, running behind a bruising offensive line. Turner figures to show more balance in his play-calling to help keep his defense off the field and exploit opponents who load up to stop the team's lethal passing game.

Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan had little success in '04, his first year at the helm of an NFL defense. But cutting down on the 3-4 schemes that he favored, but are ill-suited for Oakland's personnel is a step in the right direction. Still, this staff, while experienced, isn't loaded with teachers -- and the Raiders need just that.

With a roster full of young and raw players, and a number of others who are changing positions and need personal tutelage, Oakland is rebuilding with few foremen who can teach how to swing a hammer.