Angry Pope
All Raider
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2006
- Messages
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- Reaction score
- 546
Take it for what it is worth...
Quarterbacks
Starter: Aaron Brooks
Backup(s): Marques Tuiasosopo, Andrew Walter
Starting QB: Having come over to the Raiders from the Saints this offseason, Aaron Brooks suddenly has the most talented group of WRs he?s ever worked with. Whether throwing deep to Randy Moss or checking down to LaMont Jordan, Brooks is surrounded by players who will get him fantasy points after the ball leaves his hands. Brooks throws a nice deep ball, which is a good fit for the Raiders? vertical passing attack. He also has much better mobility than former Raider QB Kerry Collins. He must improve his decision-making and game-management, however. Brooks threw 17 interceptions in just 13 starts last season before being benched for the final three games.
Backup QB: Marques Tuiasosopo and Andrew Walter are technically in the running to start at QB this year, but more realistically they are battling for the number two job. Tuiasosopo has just two starts in his five-year career, and could be relegated to third string if Walter performs well in training camp and the preseason. Walter was the Raiders? third-round draft pick last year, and is one of the reasons the Raiders passed on Matt Leinart in this year?s draft. If Walter does win the number two job this year, he should be viewed as the team?s quarterback of the future.
Running Backs
Starter: LaMont Jordan
Backup(s): Justin Fargas, DeJuan Green, Reshard Lee
Fullback(s): Zack Crockett, John Paul Foschi
Starting RB: After spending his first four years in the league as Curtis Martin?s backup in New York, LaMont Jordan landed a starting gig in Oakland last year and made the most of it. Even missing the final two games of the season with turf toe, Jordan accounted for 75% of the Raiders? rushing yards on the season, and 30% of their total yards from scrimmage. Jordan is a powerful, determined runner who gains much of his yardage after contact. He is surprisingly nimble in the open field, and has very good hands as a receiver. His versatility ensures that he will be a used heavily in the offense whether his team is protecting a lead or playing from behind.
Backup RBs: Behind LaMont Jordan, the Raiders are pretty thin at running back. Justin Fargas is second on the depth chart at halfback, but last year the coaches seemed to trust fullback Zack Crockett as a ballcarrier than Fargas. Fargas has exceptional quickness and speed, and has flashed potential as a breakaway threat, but has been cursed with injuries so far in his career and hasn?t really developed as a runner. He sometimes struggles to read his blocks and find the hole. DeJuan Green spent last season on the practice squad before being sent to NFL Europe. Reshard Lee, an undrafted free agent in 2004, has played for Dallas, Green Bay, and Minnesota over the past two seasons.
Fullback: Zack Crockett was long known in fantasy circles as a TD-vulture, but appears to have given up that role. LaMont Jordan got the goal-line carries last year and should get them again in 2006. Crockett is a decent runner for a fullback, especially in short-yardage situations, but is merely an adequate blocker. John Paul Foschi saw more action at tight end last year than at fullback, but got more work at fullback in this year?s May mini-camp practices. He can play either position.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Randy Moss, Jerry Porter
Backups: Ronald Curry, Doug Gabriel, Alvis Whitted, Johnnie Morant, Kevin McMahan [r]
Starting WRs: Moss and Porter form one of the more talented WR duos in the league. Randy Moss is blessed with rare physical talent, and if he is healthy will be the focal point of the Raiders? passing attack. Athletically, Moss is in a class by himself at the WR position. His combination of speed, size, jumping ability, and body control make him the most feared deep threat in the league. Whenever he is on the field he is a threat to score. Keeping him healthy and on the field has been a major issue over the last two seasons, however. Jerry Porter is another athletically gifted WR who has had more than his share of injury problems. Porter is a physical receiver with good speed, but is not as refined in his routes or as quick out of his cuts as Moss is. He cannot take his starting position for granted, as he will be challenged by Ronald Curry and Doug Gabriel in training camp.
Backup WRs: Ronald Curry is a former college quarterback (and point guard) who has also spent some time at defensive back. After getting insignificant playing time in his first two years in the NFL, Curry came on during the 2004 season and made a number of spectacular catches. That season was cut short by an achilles tendon injury, however, and he suffered a similar injury toward the beginning of the 2005 season. He is still recovering and may not be fully healed by the beginning of training camp. If he can return to his 2004 form, he will push Jerry Porter for the starting job opposite Moss. Doug Gabriel is another young, athletic receiver with potential. He has fine speed, but must improve his route-running. Alvis Whitted has world-class speed, but last year?s 14 reception mark a career high after eight years in the league. Johnnie Morant, a fifth-round pick two years ago, is a tall, physical receiver who has been unable to break into the playing rotation so far. Kevin McMahan is this year?s seventh-round pick ? ?Mr. Irrelevant? since he was the last pick in the draft. He will likely be stashed on the practice squad this year.
Tight Ends
Starters: Courtney Anderson
Backups: Randal Williams, James Adkisson, Marcellus Rivers
Courtney Anderson won the starting job at tight end last year and will return to the same role in 2006. Anderson is a complete tight end, competent both as a blocker and as a pass-catcher, but not spectacular in either duty. James Adkisson and Randal Williams are both former wide receivers who have moved to tight end. Neither will ever excel as in-line blockers. Williams is the more experienced of the two, but will probably have a greater role on special teams than on offense. Adkisson has spent much of the past two seasons on the Raiders? practice squad, but has recently bulked up from 230 to 250 and made a positive impression in the team?s May mini-camp.
Place Kicker
Sebastian Janikowski : Last year Janikowski had the worst numbers of his six year NFL career. His 61.9 yard average on kickoffs was several yards off his usual, although that?s still better than many other kickers. He connected on only 20 of 30 FGs (66.7%), which is not too good, especially compared to his 88.0% and 89.3% the two previous years. Long range accuracy was the problem, as eight of the misses were from beyond 40 yards. One of those was blocked, two hit the uprights, and the others were all wide.
Kick and Punt Returners
Kick Returners: Chris Carr; Doug Gabriel; Darnell Bing; Alvis Whitted; Carlos Francis; Rod Smart; Lamont Jordan
As a rookie last year, CB Chris Carr stepped into the return specialist role and did a commendable job. He had 73 kickoff returns (24.0 avg.) and scored once. After leading the team in 2003 and 2004, WR Doug Gabriel now serves as a backup (4 returns, 16.0 avg. last year). Fourth round draft pick DB Darnell Bing only had five kickoff returns for USC last year, but he averaged 28.6 yards. WR Alvis Whitted has been a backup KR since joining the Raiders in 2002, averaging a couple returns a year. WR Carlos Francis was the KR in 2004 before tearing his ACL. Free agent acquisition RB Rod Smart averaged 22.2 yard on kickoff returns with the panthers and scored once. RB Lamont Jordan returned kicks periodically for the Jets (14 returns, 20.3 avg. in 2004).
Punt Returners: Chris Carr; Doug Gabriel; Fabian Washington; Tyrone Poole; Duane Starks
Chris Carr wasn?t as productive on punts, where he had 34 returns and averaged 6.6 yards. On the strength of his KR numbers, he finished the year as the 5th ranked fantasy returner. Doug Gabriel has more kickoff return experience, but could compete for a backup role on punt returns also. The team experimented with CB Fabian Washington on punt returns last preseason, his first time in that role since high school. Free agent acquisitions CB Tyrone Poole handled punt returns in a backup role for both Denver and New England, and CB Duane Starks for Arizona in 2004.
Offensive Line
Projected Starters: RT Langston Walker, RG Ron Stone, C Jake Grove, LG Barry Sims, LT Robert Gallery
Key Backups: T/G Brad Badger, T Chad Slaughter, T Kevin Booth [r], G Paul McQuistan [r]
cont'd...
Quarterbacks
Starter: Aaron Brooks
Backup(s): Marques Tuiasosopo, Andrew Walter
Starting QB: Having come over to the Raiders from the Saints this offseason, Aaron Brooks suddenly has the most talented group of WRs he?s ever worked with. Whether throwing deep to Randy Moss or checking down to LaMont Jordan, Brooks is surrounded by players who will get him fantasy points after the ball leaves his hands. Brooks throws a nice deep ball, which is a good fit for the Raiders? vertical passing attack. He also has much better mobility than former Raider QB Kerry Collins. He must improve his decision-making and game-management, however. Brooks threw 17 interceptions in just 13 starts last season before being benched for the final three games.
Backup QB: Marques Tuiasosopo and Andrew Walter are technically in the running to start at QB this year, but more realistically they are battling for the number two job. Tuiasosopo has just two starts in his five-year career, and could be relegated to third string if Walter performs well in training camp and the preseason. Walter was the Raiders? third-round draft pick last year, and is one of the reasons the Raiders passed on Matt Leinart in this year?s draft. If Walter does win the number two job this year, he should be viewed as the team?s quarterback of the future.
Running Backs
Starter: LaMont Jordan
Backup(s): Justin Fargas, DeJuan Green, Reshard Lee
Fullback(s): Zack Crockett, John Paul Foschi
Starting RB: After spending his first four years in the league as Curtis Martin?s backup in New York, LaMont Jordan landed a starting gig in Oakland last year and made the most of it. Even missing the final two games of the season with turf toe, Jordan accounted for 75% of the Raiders? rushing yards on the season, and 30% of their total yards from scrimmage. Jordan is a powerful, determined runner who gains much of his yardage after contact. He is surprisingly nimble in the open field, and has very good hands as a receiver. His versatility ensures that he will be a used heavily in the offense whether his team is protecting a lead or playing from behind.
Backup RBs: Behind LaMont Jordan, the Raiders are pretty thin at running back. Justin Fargas is second on the depth chart at halfback, but last year the coaches seemed to trust fullback Zack Crockett as a ballcarrier than Fargas. Fargas has exceptional quickness and speed, and has flashed potential as a breakaway threat, but has been cursed with injuries so far in his career and hasn?t really developed as a runner. He sometimes struggles to read his blocks and find the hole. DeJuan Green spent last season on the practice squad before being sent to NFL Europe. Reshard Lee, an undrafted free agent in 2004, has played for Dallas, Green Bay, and Minnesota over the past two seasons.
Fullback: Zack Crockett was long known in fantasy circles as a TD-vulture, but appears to have given up that role. LaMont Jordan got the goal-line carries last year and should get them again in 2006. Crockett is a decent runner for a fullback, especially in short-yardage situations, but is merely an adequate blocker. John Paul Foschi saw more action at tight end last year than at fullback, but got more work at fullback in this year?s May mini-camp practices. He can play either position.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Randy Moss, Jerry Porter
Backups: Ronald Curry, Doug Gabriel, Alvis Whitted, Johnnie Morant, Kevin McMahan [r]
Starting WRs: Moss and Porter form one of the more talented WR duos in the league. Randy Moss is blessed with rare physical talent, and if he is healthy will be the focal point of the Raiders? passing attack. Athletically, Moss is in a class by himself at the WR position. His combination of speed, size, jumping ability, and body control make him the most feared deep threat in the league. Whenever he is on the field he is a threat to score. Keeping him healthy and on the field has been a major issue over the last two seasons, however. Jerry Porter is another athletically gifted WR who has had more than his share of injury problems. Porter is a physical receiver with good speed, but is not as refined in his routes or as quick out of his cuts as Moss is. He cannot take his starting position for granted, as he will be challenged by Ronald Curry and Doug Gabriel in training camp.
Backup WRs: Ronald Curry is a former college quarterback (and point guard) who has also spent some time at defensive back. After getting insignificant playing time in his first two years in the NFL, Curry came on during the 2004 season and made a number of spectacular catches. That season was cut short by an achilles tendon injury, however, and he suffered a similar injury toward the beginning of the 2005 season. He is still recovering and may not be fully healed by the beginning of training camp. If he can return to his 2004 form, he will push Jerry Porter for the starting job opposite Moss. Doug Gabriel is another young, athletic receiver with potential. He has fine speed, but must improve his route-running. Alvis Whitted has world-class speed, but last year?s 14 reception mark a career high after eight years in the league. Johnnie Morant, a fifth-round pick two years ago, is a tall, physical receiver who has been unable to break into the playing rotation so far. Kevin McMahan is this year?s seventh-round pick ? ?Mr. Irrelevant? since he was the last pick in the draft. He will likely be stashed on the practice squad this year.
Tight Ends
Starters: Courtney Anderson
Backups: Randal Williams, James Adkisson, Marcellus Rivers
Courtney Anderson won the starting job at tight end last year and will return to the same role in 2006. Anderson is a complete tight end, competent both as a blocker and as a pass-catcher, but not spectacular in either duty. James Adkisson and Randal Williams are both former wide receivers who have moved to tight end. Neither will ever excel as in-line blockers. Williams is the more experienced of the two, but will probably have a greater role on special teams than on offense. Adkisson has spent much of the past two seasons on the Raiders? practice squad, but has recently bulked up from 230 to 250 and made a positive impression in the team?s May mini-camp.
Place Kicker
Sebastian Janikowski : Last year Janikowski had the worst numbers of his six year NFL career. His 61.9 yard average on kickoffs was several yards off his usual, although that?s still better than many other kickers. He connected on only 20 of 30 FGs (66.7%), which is not too good, especially compared to his 88.0% and 89.3% the two previous years. Long range accuracy was the problem, as eight of the misses were from beyond 40 yards. One of those was blocked, two hit the uprights, and the others were all wide.
Kick and Punt Returners
Kick Returners: Chris Carr; Doug Gabriel; Darnell Bing; Alvis Whitted; Carlos Francis; Rod Smart; Lamont Jordan
As a rookie last year, CB Chris Carr stepped into the return specialist role and did a commendable job. He had 73 kickoff returns (24.0 avg.) and scored once. After leading the team in 2003 and 2004, WR Doug Gabriel now serves as a backup (4 returns, 16.0 avg. last year). Fourth round draft pick DB Darnell Bing only had five kickoff returns for USC last year, but he averaged 28.6 yards. WR Alvis Whitted has been a backup KR since joining the Raiders in 2002, averaging a couple returns a year. WR Carlos Francis was the KR in 2004 before tearing his ACL. Free agent acquisition RB Rod Smart averaged 22.2 yard on kickoff returns with the panthers and scored once. RB Lamont Jordan returned kicks periodically for the Jets (14 returns, 20.3 avg. in 2004).
Punt Returners: Chris Carr; Doug Gabriel; Fabian Washington; Tyrone Poole; Duane Starks
Chris Carr wasn?t as productive on punts, where he had 34 returns and averaged 6.6 yards. On the strength of his KR numbers, he finished the year as the 5th ranked fantasy returner. Doug Gabriel has more kickoff return experience, but could compete for a backup role on punt returns also. The team experimented with CB Fabian Washington on punt returns last preseason, his first time in that role since high school. Free agent acquisitions CB Tyrone Poole handled punt returns in a backup role for both Denver and New England, and CB Duane Starks for Arizona in 2004.
Offensive Line
Projected Starters: RT Langston Walker, RG Ron Stone, C Jake Grove, LG Barry Sims, LT Robert Gallery
Key Backups: T/G Brad Badger, T Chad Slaughter, T Kevin Booth [r], G Paul McQuistan [r]
cont'd...
