Tag Archive for Oakland Raiders

NFL Quarterbacks Destined to Play Elsewhere in 2013

December 20, 2012 Vincent Frank Featured, NFL
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One thing is for sure as the 2012 NFL regular season draws to a close. There is going to be a great deal of quarterback movement in the offseason as some teams move on from the past and others attempt to actually find someone of substance at this all-important position.

As you might already know the free agent and draft classes at quarterback leaves a lot to be desired. Outside of Geno Smith, there really isn’t a single franchise-caliber starting quarterback in the draft.

Meanwhile, Jason Campbell is the only soon-to-be free agent even worth looking at as a stop gap starting quarterback option. Even then, he leaves a lot to be desired.

Instead, we are going to see quarterbacks released and traded, which adds to what is already going to be an intriguing offseason. On that note, I thought it made some sense to take a look at a few quarterbacks that will be changing teams in that manner following the season.

 

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

 

 

 

Philadelphia can get out from under Vick’s contract at a cost of just $4.5 million if it releases him prior to the start of the new league year. While the Eagles are definitely going to look in trading their oft-injured quarterback, no team in their right mind will pick up $70 million (non-guaranteed) remaining on his contract.

Additionally, the Eagles seem to have a competent young replacement in the form of rookie Nick Foles, who has impressed in limited action in 2012. If the Eagles do end up releasing Vick, a strong likely hood, two teams have already been mention:

The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. Yes, the very same Jets who just recently indicated to a source that they are looking for “ball security” from the quarterback position. I guess Rex Ryan and company don’t have much tape on the 2011 and 2012 version of Vick.

Buffalo is a really intriguing option here. Ryan Fitzpatrick just isn’t getting the job done and seems to be regressing from a strong start to the season. While Buffalo just recently signed him to an extension, it can easily get out of the financial terms without having too much dead salary cap money. I see them as a solid possibility.

Pure conjecture, but the Arizona Cardinals also seem like a fit. Kevin Kolb is as good as gone, while Ryan Lindley and John Skelton have been nothing short of disastrous in 2012.

 

Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

If San Francisco decides to trade or release Smith he will immediately become the most coveted quarterback on the market. It is becoming more and more like that will be the case due to the strong play of second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Smith is a really intriguing option. He was leading the NFL in completion percentage and second in the league in quarterback rating prior to being benched in lieu of Kaepernick. At 28, Smith also seems to be in the prime of his career and has never played better.

He is also set to earn just $19 million over the next two seasons, which is pennies on the dollar for a solid starting quarterback. Considering how weak the free agent and draft classes promise to be this offseason, San Francisco should be able to trade Smith for a decent bounty; most likely a mid-round pick and future considerations.

If the Jets are indeed serious about ball protection, Smith would seem like a great fit. After all, he has thrown one interception per 50 pass attempts over the course of the last three seasons. The Kansas City Chiefs, who are going to part ways with Matt Cassel, are another option.

 

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets

New York finally understands what the rest of us already knew about two years ago. Sanchez just isn’t a good NFL quarterback. In order for it to succeed moving forward it will have to part ways with the former top five pick.

Despite signing a three year, $40.5 million extension with New York back in March, I just don’t see a scenario where the franchise brings him back. It will, however, be on the hook for nearly $9 million should it be forced to release Sanchez.

Various reports indicate that the Jets are going to test the trade market for both Sanchez and Tim Tebow. That being said, there isn’t going to be much of a market for either of them as starters. Heck, there won’t be one.

A team like the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars or Kansas City Chiefs could bring Sanchez in, under a restructured deal, to be a backup for a young quarterback.

Meanwhile, Tebow isn’t going to get any play at all. He is a collegiate-level quarterback who would need an entire offensive philosophy changed in order to succeed. That’s not happening in the NFL.

 

Carson Palmer, Oakland Raiders

$11 million of the nearly $40 million remaining on Palmer’s contract is guaranteed. This makes it incredibly hard for Reggie McKenzie to part with the disappointing veteran quarterback. His choice is either take a $11 million cap hit in 2013 in order to look to the future (Terrelle Pryor?) or be stuck with Palmer for another season.

That being said, keeping Palmer on next season would be delaying the inevitable. He is guaranteed nearly $8 million in both 2014 and 2015. I can easily envision a scenario where McKenzie decides to bite the bullet.

Palmer still has the talent and arm to be a somewhat reliable starting quarterback. His problems in Oakland seem to be that he doesn’t fit the scheme all too well and struggles with decision making. A team like Arizona could easily make a play for him as a stop gap for a rookie.

 

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The Pistol Offense and Zone Reads: A Trend to the Future

August 16, 2012 Vincent Frank Featured, NFL, Vincent Frank
Demps

Watching Colin Kaepernick’s 78 yard touchdown run against the Minnesota Vikings last Friday got me thinking. It seems that the San Francisco 49ers intelligently designed that play in order for LaMichael James to be in the backfield at the same time.

Whether you are looking at a pistol design or a zone-read, which was the case with Kaepernick, this could be the new package that teams with an excess of athleticism run.

Think about it for a second.

Kaepernick and James combined for over 9,000 rushing yards in college. For those of us who are not math savants, that equates to about five miles of running. Simply amazing. Defenses will not be able to hone in on the quarterback in this situation because James has the ability to break the long run on the outside should the ball be handed to him. They’re not going to be able to hone in on the running back because the quarterback possesses the same capability.

Pistol Offense

In short, it confuses the hell out of the defense and can lead to a long gain. I am not talking about an entire offensive scheme catered to this. Rather, a play or two per game.

This isn’t just limited to the 49ers, though they showed success with it in their preseason opener.

The Oakland Raiders could run the same type of “gadget play” with Terrelle Pryor and Taiwan Jones in the backfield. Just think about that for a second. Two players that run a sub 4.5 40-yard dash in the backfield at the same time. It remains to be seen if Oakland is going to attempt to try to run this play in their remaining preseason games.

Let’s say the New York Jets sign former Florida running back Jeff Demps to a rookie free agent contract. The idea of Tim Tebow and the talented young running back in the same backfield running a zone read or pistol play would be cause for alarm for opposing teams.

This story can be repeated over and over again with teams that have an athletic quarterback on the roster. Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III, Michael Vick, Brad Smith and even Aaron Rodgers would all have the capabilities to do it.

Move over wildcat, this could be the new gimmick of the modern National Football League. I for one am intrigued.

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2012 NFL Power Rankings: Version 1.0

August 15, 2012 Vincent Frank Featured, NFL, Vincent Frank
Pro Football Nuts

 

It might be too early to take a look at where most teams stand in the National Football League. After all, we are just coming off of one week of preseason football. Talk about jumping the gun.

With that it mind, I am fully prepared to run towards the cliff with a blow-horn and blurt out random names to see if they stick come January. These power rankings will be updated every week.

 

32. Cleveland Browns (AFC Rank: 16)

The Browns ineptitude on the offensive side of the ball is going to be their undoing. Brandon Weeden is nowhere near being a starter caliber quarterback in the NFL and they don’t have the weapons on the outside to succeed.

31. Minnesota Vikings (NFC Rank: 16)

They looked really bad Friday night against the San Francisco 49ers. I understand it was just the first preseason game, but this team is lacking talent across the board on both sides of the ball.

30. St. Louis Rams (NFC Rank: 15)

That was an embarrassing way to start the Jeff Fisher era in St. Louis. While it is hard to take stock of a team after one preseason game, the Rams have a great deal of work to do in order to compete on a consistent basis on Sunday’s.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC Rank: 15)

Even with Maurice Jones-Drew in the fold, this team wasn’t going to win more than five games. Take him out of the mix and you have the second worst offense in the NFL behind Cleveland. Wont win you many games.

28. Indianapolis Colts (AFC Rank: 14)

Andrew Luck and Co. where might impressive on Sunday against the Rams. Though this should be taken with a grain of salt, you have to be happy about the way this young team looked with the rookie quarterback leading the charge.

27. Arizona Cardinals (NFC Rank: 14)

Kevin Kolb or John Skelton, does it really matter? The Cardinals are so inept at the quarterback position that it makes them look like a Pop Warner team at times. Arizona’s two top quarterbacks have combined for a 19.2 quarterback rating in two preseason games.

26. Miami Dolphins (AFC Rank: 13)

Ryan Tannehill was might impressive, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. He has a tremendous amount of work to do. Miami’s best shot at contention is with either David Garrard or Matt Moore under center. Either way, the lack of talent at wide receiver is going to hurt.

25. Oakland Raiders (AFC Rank: 12)

Even by preseason standards, the Raiders loss to Dallas on Monday night was horrendous. This team couldn’t do anything right, struggling in nearly every aspect of the game. I guess their defense looked good, holding the Cowboys to three points. Something to take out of the performance. It’s going to take some time for this team to gel.

24. New York Jets (AFC Rank: 11)

This team is lacking chemistry and talent across the board, none more than at the quarterback position. Neither Mark Sanchez nor Tim Tebow appear to be the answer. They don’t have the receivers to make plays and lack young talent on defense. Get primed for a down season in New York with the Jets.

23. Washington Redskins (NFC Rank: 13)

Robert Griffin III definitely impressed in his preseason debut and I would love to put the Skin’s higher, but I just don’t see it. They’re schedule is going to be brutal in 2012, which indicates another losing season in the capital. For Washington, it is all about progression from the youngsters, RGIII included.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC Rank: 12)

It does seem that Greg Schiano is planning on running an offense that fits their talents much better than what we saw last season. The additions of Carl Nicks, Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin will help on the offensive side of the ball. The division they play in coupled with a bad defense leads me to believe this team finishes in the cellar once again.

21. Carolina Panthers (NFC Rank: 11)

Can Cam Newton take the next step? If he does, will the Panthers make the postseason? While I am happy with what Carolina did in the draft and to an extent in free agency, they seem to be a year or so away from contention.

20. Dallas Cowboys (NFC Rank: 10)

Let’s not read too much into the Cowboys lack of offensive performance Monday night against the Oakland Raiders. They didn’t have a couple healthy bodies on the offensive line and it just didn’t seem like the team was connecting. That being said, Dallas needs to get it together relatively quickly.

19. Tennessee Titans (AFC Rank: 10)

Jake Locker appears to be the favorite to win Tennessee’s starting quarterback job. It really doesn’t matter, both will be able to lead the Titans to postseason contention. It is all about moving forward with the young quarterback at the helm.

18. San Diego Chargers (AFC Rank: 9)

One of the most disappointing teams in recent NFL history, the pressure is definitely on Norv Turner and Co. this season. They need to win double-digit games and make a postseason run. If history serves as an indicator, fans in Southern California will be disappointed once again.

17. Buffalo Bills (AFC Rank: 8)

The Bills will be right in the mix for a postseason spot when all is said and done. Despite a rough preseason debut, this is a team that has talent clear across the board. The additions of Mario Williams and Stephon Gilmore were huge. There success will depend a great deal on the play of Ryan Fitzpatrick.

16. Detroit Lions (NFC Rank: 9)

I will probably receive some flack for having the Lions so low on this list, but let me explain. They’re going to find it difficult to win on a consistent basis without a ground game on offense and lackluster play in the secondary. Couple that with playing in a tough division and this could be a disappointing season in the Motor City.

15. Seattle Seahawks (NFC Rank: 8)

Yet another team that should be in the race for the duration of the 2012 season. Seattle looked mighty impressive in their preseason opener as it seems their quarterback competition has been dwindled down to Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson. Solid play at this position could get Seattle into the second season.

14. Denver Broncos (AFC Rank: 7)

I am not going to buy into the Peyton Manning hype until the future Hall of Fame quarterback proves he can stay healthy during the regular season. If this happens, Denver might end up favorites in the AFC West.

13. New Orleans Saints (NFC Rank: 7)

Again, I will probably get some flack for having the Saints so low. It really is hard to underscore just how much the loss of head coach Sean Payton will hurt New Orleans. You need solid coaching to win consistently in the NFL and without him the Saints just don’t have that.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC Rank: 6)

Pittsburgh has a few different issues to address if they’re going to return to the postseason in 2012. David DeCastro and Mike Adams, both rookies, are going to have to step up along the o-line to keep Big Ben upright. They are also going to have to find someone to be a consistent threat on the ground in the running game.

11. Cincinnati Bengals (AFC Rank: 5)

You can definitely expect Cincinnati to take a step forward in 2012. Both Andy Dalton and A.J. Green has a year of seasoning under their belt. This is going to make a huge difference. Additionally, Cincinnati addressed defensive concerns along the defensive line and in the secondary. Definitely a team on the upswing.

10. Kansas City Chiefs (AFC Rank: 4)

Tell me that the Baltimore Ravens would have succeeded last season if they were without Joe Flacco, Ray Rice and Ed Reed for a majority of the season. This is the situation that Kansas City found themselves in last year. With a fully healthy roster, they are the clear cut favorites to win what promises to be a competitive division.

9. Philadelphia Eagles (NFC Rank: 6)

Again, I am not going to buy into the hype here. Though Philadelphia has one of the most talented rosters in the league, they need to start putting it together on the football field. Additionally, Michael Vick is going to have to show he can stay healthy for an entire season if the Eagles are going to win the NFC East.

8. Chicago Bears (NFC Rank: 5)

One major concern as it relates to the Bears is pass protection. They didn’t do much to address this issue in the offseason and saw their quarterbacks sacked six times in the preseason opener. The weapons are there on the offensive side of the ball with Michael Bush, Brandon Marshal and Alshon Jeffery. It is all about putting it together and keeping Jay Cutler upright.

7. Baltimore Ravens (AFC Rank: 3)

The loss of Terrell Suggs for what promises to be the majority of the 2012 season is going to hurt a great deal. You don’t lose the reigning Defensive Player of the Year without taking somewhat of a step back. Baltimore needs Joe Flacco to step his game up if they’re going to be serious contenders for the conference championship.

6. Atlanta Falcons (NFC Rank: 4)

Boy, the Falcons first-team was impressive in their preseason opener against the aforementioned Ravens. No, this isn’t the reason why I have Atlanta rated higher. Instead, it seems they are going to have one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL this season. Couple that with an improved defense and you have the makings for a possible Super Bowl run. It is all about winning in January, something Matt Ryan has been unable to do.

5. Houston Texans (AFC Rank: 2)

Houston didn’t really have a great offseason. The losses of Eric Winston, Mike Brisiel and Mario Williams is definitely going to hurt. That being said, this team has the talent on both sides of the ball to compete for the AFC Championship. Again, we are looking at injuries. They need Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson to play the duration of the season for this to become a reality.

4. Green Bay Packers (NFC Rank: 3)

How can a team that won 15 regular season games the year before not be in the top three? Well, if that team is the Packers extended expectations are not needed. Green Bay laid an egg in their first postseason game and finished as one of the two worst defensive teams in the league. We all know about Aaron Rodgers and Co. on offense, but youngsters need to step up on the other side of the ball is this team is going to win the NFC.

3. New England Patriots (AFC Rank: 1)

They did a great job adding players at need positions on both sides of the ball. Brandon Lloyd is going to play the part of a serious receiving threat on the outside. He teams up with Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Deion Branch to form an elite passing game for Tom Brady. Chandler Jones, who was impressive in his NFL debut against the New Orleans Saints last week, should help the defensive out a great deal. Definitely the frontrunners for another trip to the Super Bowl out of the AFC.

2. San Francisco 49ers (NFC Rank: 2)

This team is absolutely stacked. Trent Baalke and Co. did an amazing job adding talent where it needed to be added in the offseason. Their offense promises to be vastly improved from a pedestrian 2011 campaign, while Alex Smith seems like he is ready to take that next step. San Francisco also returns all 11 starters from one of the most dominating defenses in the league. I wouldn’t be surprised if the 49ers brought home their sixth Super Bowl Championship in New Orleans in February. In fact, they should be considered favorites to do so.

1. New York Giants (NFC Rank: 1)

Do I believe the Giants are the best team in the NFL? No. In fact, I think it is going to be hard for them to even make the postseason in the tough NFC. That being said, the defending Super Bowl Champions need to be ranked No. 1 until they lose a football game. This is my philosophy and I will NEVER change it.

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Can The Oakland Raiders’ Darren McFadden Stay Healthy in 2012?

July 10, 2012 Joey Levitt Featured, Joey Levitt, NFL
Courtesy of Live105.com

Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden recently stated that he’s at full health and poised for a breakout year in 2012.

Is there any credence to his prediction?

Evidence taken from his four-year career points completely to the contrary.

He has not played for an entire NFL campaign since he arrived back in 2008. He has not suited up for more than 13 games during any one season.

Injuries have plagued him throughout his career. A toe in 2008, knee in 2009, hamstring in 2010 and the widely feared Lisfranc injury to his foot in 2011 have cut down the former Razorback product.

His hamstring ailment two seasons ago halted a potential 1,400-yard, double-digit touchdown campaign. The Lisfranc in 2011 erased a 5.4-yard average per carry and what was shaping out to be a career year.

Will 2012 be any different? Can McFadden recreate his durability in college that saw him totaling over 320 carries and 1,800 yards during his junior year?

While my better inclinations leave me saying no, the Raiders’ new coaching staff and offensive scheme push me towards the affirmative.

New offensive coordinator Greg Knapp (held this capacity in Oakland from 2007-2008) brings a West Coast system that’ll have Run DMC rushing to the outside on stretch plays and in zone-blocking schemes. They’ll be slowly developing and require a more patient running style that might be less detrimental to his feet and knees.

No longer will McFadden run in the power-rushing scheme that calls for him making a strong initial cut and charging forward in an aggressive fashion.

Yet, history still suggests that the supremely talented back can’t stay on the field for a full 16 games.

There’s no denying his status as one of the best in the game when he does see on-field action. I’ve seen it myself many times in the flesh from my previous work with the Raiders.

The Silver and Black need a complete season from McFadden in order to remain a legitimate threat in the AFC West.

Unfortunately, I do not foresee him playing for more than 12 games in 2012. Nagging foot injuries to running backs and NFL longevity simply do not go hand in hand.

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AFC West: Keys For Each Team To Win Division

July 5, 2012 Joey Levitt Featured, NFL
Courtesy of ProSportExtra.com

From top to bottom, the AFC West will be the most comprehensively competitive division in the NFL.

It is conceivable that each team in the West—Raiders included—can take home the division crown in 2012.

The Broncos instantly improved with the signing of Peyton Manning. The Chiefs get key players back from injury, Oakland is extremely talented offensively and the Chargers still feature the superior overall roster.

Let’s make the case for each individual team, starting with the division winner of last season.

Denver Broncos (8-8, 1st in AFC West)

Denver emerged atop this division in 2012 under the power of a stout defense and magical comebacks by quarterback Tim Tebow.

Tebow now finds himself on the East Coast (Jets), but the defense remains and four-time regular season MVP Peyton Manning now sits under center.

Manning is worth at least two more wins. It goes without saying that he makes everyone around him better.

Incumbent receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, newcomers Andre Caldwell and Jason Hill, and former teammates Brandon Stokley and Jacob Tamme (tight end) all will post career numbers with Manning throwing to them (with the exception of Stokley).

The running game received a boost as well with third-round draft choice Ronnie Hillman. He and Willis McGahee will form a nice one-two punch.

So with the offense rejuvenated with Manning and free-agent pick ups, the defense should continue where it left off in 2011. Defensive tackle Derek Wolfe (second rounder) will bolster the Broncos’ front seven that already includes Von Miller, Elvis Dumervil and Robert Ayers. The aging secondary received help in free agent Tracy Porter and draft choice Omar Bolden.

New head coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio are strong defensive-minded, meat-and-potatoes-type NFL coaches. The Broncos will play smart, effective football with this coaching staff and with Manning as the de facto on-field coordinator.

If they can survive a brutal seven-game stretch to start the season (Steelers and Texans at home; Falcons, Patriots and Chargers on the road), the Broncos will be in line to win this division. Getting after the quarterback, a powerful rushing attack and having one of the best of all time under center are the reasons this team can come out on top.

San Diego Chargers (8-8; 2nd in AFC West)

The Chargers have grossly underachieved the past two seasons. They ranked first overall in total offense and defense, yet missed the playoffs in 2010. A top-5 scoring offense and stacked roster still didn’t yield them a postseason birth last year.

Their personnel grouping is even stronger this year, so there really is no excuse for them to miss January football for the third consecutive season.

In free agency, San Diego fortified an already top-ranked offense with receivers Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal and running back Ronnie Brown. They infused talent on the defensive side of the ball through the draft with Melvin Ingram (DE), Kendall Reyes (DT) and Brandon Taylor (SS). Adding LaDarius Green behind Antonio Gates will give Philip Rivers mutlitple dynamic threats at tight end.

With the aforementioned draft picks as well as Jarret Johnson coming over from Baltimore, the Chargers must become more adept at stopping the run in 2011. They must improve their sack total and keep protecting Rivers as they had did fairly well last season. Their quarterback absolutely must reduce the number of turnovers (25).

Most importantly, the Chargers must fulfill their immense potential and have head coach Norv Turner prove that he is more than just a good offensive coordinator.

If they accomplish these things, they be just as likely as any team to capture the AFC West.

Kansas City Chiefs (7-9; 4th in AFC West)

Key injuries absolutely devastated the Chiefs in 2011.

They lost defensive leader and starting safety Eric Berry in Week 1. Just one week later, Jamaal Charles, 1,467-yard running back of 2010, went down. Quarterback Matt Cassel hit inured reserve in November.

These players are back and all must have great rebound seasons. This is especially true for Cassel, as he played poorly in limited time, throwing ill-advised picks and posting a low completion percentage.

Free agent tackle Eric Winston and draftee Jeff Allen must shore up issues on the offensive line. Right tackle Barry Richardson was downright atrocious.

Kansas City added speed and multi-dimensional talent in receiver/returner Devon Wylie and RB Cyrus Gray. The running game with Charles, Gray and Peyton Hillis needs to fire on all cylinders to take pressure off Cassel.

On defense, LB Derrick Johnson must continue his stellar play, someone other than Tamba Hali needs to register some sacks and Stanford Routt needs to fulfill the hole left by Brandon Carr to complement fellow corners Brandon Flowers and Javier Arenas.

The team has all the pieces to be balanced offensively as well. They’ll give their divisional foes everything they can handle.

Having the 20th-easiest schedule should aid the Chiefs’ endeavors in 2012.

Oakland Raiders (8-8; 3rd in AFC West)

The Silver and Black were in complete position to take the AFC West a season ago. It then blew a big lead against the Lions in Week 15 before getting rocked by the Chargers the final week of the season.

The defense simply couldn’t stop anybody. It was agonizing for fans since they knew the offense was up for the task.

Acquired corners Shawntae Spencer and Ron Bartell must use their size to help a secondary that was absolutely torched in the passing game last year. The Raiders passing (and rushing) defense ranked 27th and only three teams allowed more points.

Safety Tyvon Branch was one of the few bright spots.

Drafted linebacker Miles Burris also must combat the loss of Kamerion Wimbley as the LB that gets after the quarterback.

New head coach Dennis Allen must put his defensive prowess to work for this squad to emerge from the dregs of NFL rankings. His track record suggests that he can.

On offense, it’s up to new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp to facilitate QB Carson Palmer’s transition into his West Coast system. The talent at wide receiver is there. If RB Darren McFadden can remain healthy for the entirety of 2012, this offense will be something special.

Stated succinctly, if the Raiders’ D steps up to complement the offense, this team has a chance at the division crown.

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Oakland Raiders: Reasonable Outcome for Tough 2012 Schedule

June 23, 2012 Joey Levitt Featured, NFL
120130-Dennis-Allen

The Oakland Raiders are under a new regime. New coach, new GM, new identity.

NFL schedulers didn’t do them any favors to ease the transition.

The defensively inclined Dennis Allen will have to put his prowess to work in quick fashion. The San Diego Chargers roll into Oakland in Week 1.

Familiarity with the AFC West or not, the new head coach has the not so fun responsibility of devising a game plan against the dynamic Philip Rivers-led offense from the get go.

Weeks two through four do not offer any breaks either.

The Raiders travel to South Beach where they’ve lost two out of the past three. They then come home for the Steelers, then get right back on the plane for the rejuvenated Denver Broncos under Peyton Manning.

To make matters worse, the Silver and Black gets its bye just five weeks into the 2012 campaign. It’s no secret that teams prefer having their off week later in the season.

The Falcons arrive on the schedule in Week 6, which will be the first of four tests on a veritable murder’s row of the NFC South.

After a winnable game against the Jaguars at home, the Raiders face a five-week stretch as brutal as any in the league this season.

Underrated Chiefs squad, revamped Buccaneers, Ravens in Baltimore, dominant Saints, Bengals on their home turf—it’s fair to say that things will not be easy.

So after the last two games of the regular season against Cam Newton’s boys and the team that ended its playoff hopes in 2011 (Chargers), what will be the reasonable outcome for the Raiders in 2012?

Let’s bank on 7-9.

The Raiders are in rebuilding mode. The AFC West is the most underappreciated division in the NFL. The schedule is cruel.

Again, things will not be easy.

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What Current NFL Holdout Promises to go into the Season?

June 20, 2012 Vincent Frank Featured, NFL
NFL: Raiders vs Jaguars DEC 23

There are a myriad of different players around the National Football League that are currently holding out from mandatory minicamps. Some of them, Maurice Jones-Drew for example, are under contract and will most likely get fined. Others, Drew Brees, haven’t signed their franchise tenders and will not be fined.

This all changes when training camps begin late next month. All of the holdouts have to report to their teams locations or face the possibility of stiff fines.

This is one of the primary reasons that holdouts usually don’t last that far into training camp, or into the season for that matter.

That being said, it seems that there is a lot of volatility as it relates to some players and the front office of their teams. So, let’s take a look at two players that might actually holdout past the mandatory training camp report dates.

 

Maurice Jones-Drew, Running Back, Jacksonville Jaguars

The 2011 NFL rushing champion is currently under contract, but wants his deal reworked to fit right into the level of impact he has on the football field.

Jaguars’ general manager Gene Smith has “no intention” of re-working the contract of his star running back and believes he should just play out the stretch.

The two sides have not met.

While it is hard to imagine Jones-Drew throwing away nearly $5 million by holding out the entire season, he fully understands that the success of Jacksonville’s offense is predicated on him being in the backfield.

In fact, this is his major negotiating chip at this point.

Jacksonville just cannot afford to have Jones-Drew miss any time when the regular season gets up and going in September. If that happens you can expect them to be vying for the No. 1 overall pick in 2013 NFL Draft.

After all, Jones-Drew is the engine to their car, however beat up and rusty that car might be at this point with a lack of talent around him.

 

Matt Forte, Running Back, Chicago Bears

This is a completely different situation. Forte was given the franchise tender in March, but has shown absolutely no sign that he will play under it in 2012.

While Jay Cutler might believe that Forte will be rearing to go in July, I have a hard time believing that the talented running back will actually show up to camp without a new contract.

Adding more fuel to the fire is that fact that the Bears went out there and signed Michael Bush in free agency. Bush has the capability to be a starting running back in the NFL, as evidenced by his nearly 1,400 total yards for the Oakland Raiders last season.

Chicago might be in a less vulnerable situation than Jacksonville because of the talent they already possess on offense, but they are also in a different situation right now. The Bears are hoping to contend for a conference championship in 2012. That will not happen if Forte misses a substantial part of the season.

Either the Bears backtrack and give Forte that extension or he sits for a large majority of the season. That’s the way I see it.

 

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The Seattle Seahawks Make Questionable Decision to Acquire Kellen Winslow Jr.

May 22, 2012 Vincent Frank NFL
Kellen Winslow Jr

Anytime that you can add weapons to the offense it cannot be considered a bad thing. Right?

Well, that is an extremely narrow-minded approach to take. The Seattle Seahawks traded a conditional 2013 draft pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for enigmatic tight end Kellen Winslow Jr.

I am not questioning the decision to go after a talented player who will help Matt Flynn out in the passing game.

The major issue here is salary and roster logistics. Seattle signed former Oakland Raiders tight end Zach Miller to a five year, $34 million contract last offseason and now have another $4.5 committed to Winslow Jr in 2012. That is a total of nearly $12 million for two tight ends.

Doesn’t seem to make much sense to me.

It isn’t like this trade is going to put Seattle over the top in a NFC West division that includes one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl next season. It wasn’t a smart financial move for a team that just seemed to have too much money to burn.

Additionally, they have to think long-term in regards to the situation. Seattle now has a total of over $40 million reserved for two tight ends over the course of the next three seasons.

Good front offices understand that this isn’t the way you do business if you want to win long-term in the National Football League. Instead, they are fiscally responsible and only make decisions that are going to improve their chances at success moving forward.

I just don’t see this being the case with Seattle right now.

 

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Ranking the Best Young Running Backs in the NFL

May 22, 2012 Vincent Frank NFL
lesean-mccoy-getty

Yesterday I took a look at the best young quarterbacks (25 and under) in the National Football League. While there probably weren’t too many surprises on that list, it is important to gauge nonetheless.

This will be the second article in a series focusing on specific positions. Today I am going to take a look at the best young running backs in the NFL.

Remember, rookies are not included on these lists.

 

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Statistics: 1,364 rush yards, 76 receptions, 704 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.

Rice might be the best all-around running back in the entire National Football League. He does everything great, including receiving out of the backfield and protecting Joe Flacco.

What is insane about Rice’s career is that he just turned 25 in January and has at least another half-decade of stellar play ahead of himself.

Now it is up to the Baltimore Ravens to show their workhorse running back the money before his contract situation gets out of hand. They are going to need this guy if they are going to contend for the Super Bowl in 2012 and beyond.

 

LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

2011 Statistics: 1,309 rush yards, 48 receptions, 315 yards and 20 touchdowns.

The Eagles are not going to have to worry about a contract stalemate with their dynamic young running back anytime soon. Showing how good front offices a run, they signed “Shady” to a five year, $45 million contract extension, which will take him into his 30s.

 

Arian Foster, Houston Texans

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Statistics: 1,224 rush yards, 53 receptions, 617 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Despite missing three games due to injury last season, Foster was right back atop the National Football League as one of the best all-around backs. He wasn’t able to lead the league in rushing again, but consistently aided the Houston Texans offense when they were without both Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson in the passing game.

Foster has the best vision of any running back in the NFL, consistently showing amazing cutback speed and possessing the ability to break tackles off the edges. He fits the Texans zone-blocking scheme to a T.

 

Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

2011 Statistics: 614 rush yards, 19 receptions, 154 yards and five touchdowns in six games.

The former Top five overall pick was on pace for a breakout 2011 season prior to going down to injury in October. This has been the major issue for McFadden during his short NFL career.

There is no doubt that “Run DMC” possesses the ability to be a dominating lead back in the league. He just needs to stay healthy for an entire season in order to prove to skeptics that he can handle the rigors of the league. If that happens…Watch out!

 

Just Missed the List

Ryan Matthews, San Diego Chargers

DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

Ben Tate, Houston Texans

Kendall Hunter, San Francisco 49ers

 

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Oakland Raiders Draft Grades: Grading 2012 Selections

May 4, 2012 Joey Levitt NFL
BYU escapes with tough win over Aztecs

Well, for the Oakland Raiders in the 2012 NFL Draft, there was really only so much they could do with their first pick being a compensatory one at No. 95 overall in the third round.

That was quite disheartening to the fanbase that was fully cognizant of the plethora of needs on the defensive side of the ball and at running back.

In any case, the regime overhaul under new GM Reggie McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen proceeded with the draft anyways despite the misfortunes.

Here are my analyses and individual and overall grades for the Raiders 2012 draft selections.

 

Round 3 (No. 95 Overall; Compensatory): Tony Bergstrom, OT, Utah

With a new regime comes a new drafting philosophy. As opposed to the legendary late-Al Davis, McKenzie opted for character, maturity and versatility, rather than drafting the biggest, fasted, meanest prospect around.

The former Ute arrives in the NFL at the age of 26 due to a commitment to a LDS church mission in 2005 before enrolling at Utah in 2008. He started for three of his four years and brings laudable team leadership to the Raiders, something he exudes in every facet of his life.

Bergstrom’s notable attributes are athleticism, agility and sound technique. He can play both guard and tackle as evidenced by his performance at the Senior Bowl, but is vulnerable to speed rushers and may lack adequate arm length f0r an NFL tackle.

The Raiders will appreciate his presence as a high-character individual and compatibility with Greg Knapp’s zone-blocking scheme. However, he is still a developmental prospect that would have offered more appropriate value in later rounds. We’ll see if he can shore up the highly ineffective right side of the offensive line.

Cornerback is a greater deficiency on this squad.

Grade: C+

 

Round 4 (No. 129 Overall; Compensatory): Miles Burris, OLB, San Diego State

While still another slight reach, Miles Burris is a fantastic selection for the defensive-minded head coach, Dennis Allen.

Burris brings great versatility, instincts, range and maximum effort with a nose for the ball. He played in SDSU’s 3-3-5 defensive formation and held down all linebacker positions. In other words, he is reliable in all responsibilities required of a LB, including edge rushing, coverage, tackling and neutralizing ball-carriers in space.

Notable intangibles include earning SDSU’s 2011 Defensive Player of the Year, 2011 President’s Award for High Academic Achievement and being a four-time member of the Mountain West All-Academic team.

Allen will take full advantage of Burris’ intelligence and versatility in his various defensive formations.

Grade: A-

 

Round 5 (No. 158 Overall): Jack Crawford, DE, Penn State, Grade: C-

Big-time developmental prospect, limited football experience; tall frame (6’5”; plays taller) facilitates ability to knock down passes; very athletic; room to bulk up; however, huge learning curve will render transition to NFL quite challenging; doesn’t bode well for Raiders team that needs immediate impact; massive potential nonetheless

Round 5 (No. 168 Overall; Compensatory): Juron Criner, WR, Arizona, Grade: C-

Good value; possesses leaping ability; red-zone threat; massive hands (10.4”); crisp route runner; reads zone coverage well; dangerous in the YAC department; brings size (6’3”, 224 pounds) to Raiders’ WR corps; team is pretty loaded at wideout, though; luxury pick that team can’t afford

Round 6: (No. 189 Overall): Christo Bilukidi, DE, Georgia State, Grade: N/A

Great size at 6’5”, 290 pounds; could develop into effective edge rusher; little information available

Round 7: (No. 230 Overall): Nathan Stupar, OLB, Penn State, Grade: B

Extensive football bloodlines; high football IQ; disciplined, instinctive versus the run and in coverage; limited range; some issues with tackling and shedding blocks; special teams player for the Raiders in 2012

 

Overall Grade: C- (simply lacked picks and draft maneuverability; still TE- and CB-deficient, among other positions)

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