RAIDERS FANTASY NEWS

March 5, 2006 12:00 PM ET

After a third straight losing season and zero wins in the AFC West, it came as no surprise when owner Al Davis parted ways with vanilla head coach Norv Turner shortly after the season ended. However, Turner's successor was pretty astonishing, although not for a lack of familiarity.

Another bizarre interview process spit out former Raiders head honcho Art Shell, who Davis fired in 1994 after five-plus seasons at the helm. Given the Silver and Black's futility since, Davis—who has long admitted to regretting Shell's dismissal—was perhaps looking longingly at the former lineman's winning percentage in Oakland. Since 1987, only Shell (56-41) and John Gruden (38-26) have posted winning records. In his five complete seasons, Shell was 9-7 or better four times.

The reunion didn't end with Shell, however, as the Raiders brought back former offensive assistant Tom Walsh. Also let go in the coaching dismissal in '94, Walsh was with the team for the 12 previous seasons, but has been out of football since. He was plucked out of a cushy gig as Mayor of Swan Valley, Idaho (population 213), where he also ran a bed-and-breakfast. We're not joking.

Shell, Walsh, and the addition of seven-time Pro-Bowl lineman Jackie Slater to the coaching staff promises a return to the nastiness of Silver-and-Black football, specifically up front on offense. You know about the pedigree Shell and Slater bring as All-Pro blockers, and Walsh's specialty is pass protection and blitz pickup. In his introductory press conference, Shell emphasized dominating the line of scrimmage, a power rushing attack, and the vertical passing threat that arouses Davis. That approach sounds like a fantastic fantasy development for running back LaMont Jordan and Randy Moss, although it also sounds remarkably similar to Turner's philosophy.

On the other side of the ball, the Raiders made little improvement in the second season under defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, ranking 25th in the NFL in points allowed and 27th in yards allowed. However, Ryan's players backed their leader and the offense's imbalance was also perceived to be a factor in that breakdown. Ryan received a three-year contract extension in January, preventing him from fleeing to New York to join new Jets coach and former Patriots colleague Eric Mangini.

Needs
Something about Kerry Collins' 7-21 record as the Raiders starting quarterback tell us they might want to address their situation under center. That process began on Bloody Sunday when Collins met his release just hours before his $12.6 million cap number kicked into effect. While that news came as little surprise to anyone familiar with the Raiders' salary cap negligence, it's not exactly as if they are prepared for his departure. Backup Marques Tuiasosopo was woefully overwhelmed in his one-game audition and isn't expected back. The Raiders spent a third-round draft pick on Andrew Walter last April, but his rookie season was ruined by a groin injury and subsequent offseason surgery.

Thus, the Raiders should have a revamped passing depth chart next season, led by an early first-day draft pick (likely with the No. 7 pick) and a veteran free agent who can provide a smooth transition. The San Francisco Chronicle listed Drew Brees, Steve McNair, and Daunte Culpepper as possibilities, although Brees will likely be too expensive and McNair and Culpepper appear to be unavailable.

Despite their disappointing production on offense—they ranked 23rd in scoring and 29th in rushing—Oakland is fairly set at the skill positions with Jordan, Moss, and No. 2 receiver Jerry Porter. Tight end Courtney Anderson flashed a bit of promise in his second year, but he has chronic knee problems and lacks consistency.

The Raiders will rely on improvement up front to lead an offensive resurgence. With Shell and Slater in the fold, a line featuring two top draft picks in Robert Gallery and Jake Grove will have to live up to its potential by plowing holes in the running game and capably protecting the quarterback, both of which have been serious problems the last two seasons.

While the personnel appears to be in place on offense, the Raiders need to improve their talent base on the defensive side of the ball. Up front, they got improved play from their defensive line with the addition of Pro Bowl pass-rusher Derrick Burgess (16 sacks) and with Warren Sapp shifting back inside. Rookie linebacker Kirk Morrison made an impact in his first season, leading the team in tackles (116), but he and veteran Danny Clark (113) need help at the second level.

Nowhere is aid more desperate than in the defensive backfield. After stealing millions from the organization as their franchise player for the last two seasons, past-his-prime cornerback Charles Woodson will finally depart in free agency. Veteran safety Derrick Gibson and corner Denard Walker have been cut, and corner Renaldo Hill and safety Jarrod Cooper are unrestricted free agents. That leaves their secondary in the hands of safety Stuart Schweigert and corners Nnamdi Asomugha, Fabian Washington, and Stanford Routt, who combined have only seven years of NFL experience.

The Raiders have two Pro Bowl-quality talents in placekicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler, but both underperformed to a large degree last season. Expect special teams to be of primary concern in offseason camps.

Salary Cap Situation
As is their custom, the Raiders had exceeded the salary cap more than any other team in the NFL prior to Thursday's deadline to be in compliance. According to the Sacramento Bee, they had obligations totaling $123 million despite a salary cap estimated to be $92 to $95 million. Forced to meet that cap by the deadline, Oakland severed ties with Collins, Gibson, Walker, wide receiver Ronald Curry, fullback Zack Crockett, offensive guard Ron Stone, and defensive tackle Ted Washington.

Unrestricted Free Agents
CB Charles Woodson, TE Randal Williams, TE Zeron Flemister, RB Omar Easy, OT Chad Slaughter, OG Corey Husley, S Derrick Gibson, CB Renaldo Hill, S Jarrod Cooper, LB DeLawrence Grant, LB Tim Johnson, DT Kenny Smith

Restricted Free Agents
DE Grant Irons, DT Terdell Sands

Free Agent Signings
None.

The Draft
With no future in place under center, it's widely assumed that the Raiders will spend their No. 7 overall pick in April's draft on a quarterback. USC's Matt Leinart is expected to be off the board, but Texas' Vince Young and Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler may be available.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported earlier this week that Oakland brass was quick to interview Young when the league made prospects available at this week's combine, and the Rose Bowl MVP has the kind of freakish athletic ability that gets Davis' jumpsuits in a bunch. Of course, the Texans, Saints, Titans, Jets, and Packers own the first five picks and may be in the market for a quarterback themselves.

While the team desperately needs experience and veteran leadership in the defensive backfield, they still can't ignore the secondary on draft day. Headed into free agency, they have only one safety, four corners, and one combo defensive back on their roster.

Given their priorities up front, it also would behoove the Raiders to spend some time building up their depth along an offensive line that—despite the Gallery and Grove selections—is getting extremely long in the tooth. Stone is gone, Langston Walker is coming off an abdominal hemorrhage, and 30-somethings Barry Sims and Brad Badger aren't getting any younger.

After a season in which Oakland carried only three running backs on the roster—and was forced to start short-yardage blocker Crockett at tailback for two games—do not be surprised to see them draft a running back. Three-year veteran Justin Fargas, a third-round pick himself, has not panned out.

Injury Watch
Say what you will about Moss, but one thing is certain: he was not himself after sustaining rib, groin, and pelvis injuries in week five against the Chargers. He never missed a game, but he rarely practiced, appeared on the injury report for the rest of the season, and recorded only one 100-yard game the remainder of the year. Randy refused to rest during the season, but the offseason should provide ample time for recovery.

Jordan recorded the first 1,000-yard season of his career and didn't even need the final two games of the season to do so. He missed the last two contests with turf toe, but the injury isn't serious enough to concern fantasy owners going forward. Of course, Jordan led the team in both rushing attempts and receptions last year, averaging almost 25 touches per game. With four years remaining on his contract, the Raiders would be wise not to wear out their workhorse again next season.

Porter began the season with a hamstring problem and got off to a slow start, but he played in 16 games for the second straight season. Now that he's seemingly answered his injury questions, he can get to work on solving his maddening inconsistency. For the second straight season, Anderson failed to finish the year with a knee injury. Walter had groin surgery in December and will have to rebound quickly if he intends to turn heads in mini-camps and secure a place in the Raiders future plans at quarterback.

More NFL Offseason News - More Teams...

Raiders 2006 Schedule...

More Bodog Football Articles...