Skip to main content

10 things that will make the Raiders a playoff team

Some major homers think it is possible to make the playoffs this season. Some not so crazies think maybe next year. These things can be difficult to project, but I'm going to take a look at ten team needs. Fill these needs and playoffs aren't just a mirage.

1. Give Nnamdi a long term deal.
2. LT
3. RT
4. WR
5. WR
6. FS
7. OLB
8. DT
9. DE
10. LB

1. No brainer

2 & 3. Obviously, one of the glaring weaknesses is the OT spot. Finding replacements via draft and free agency will be important. Perhaps moving Kwame to RT could fill one of the holes. I don't like it, but you aren't going to fill all ten holes with a great or even good player. So finding a better protector for Russell's backside might be the best we can do.

4 & 5. There will be WR available in free agency and adding one in the draft could be a good idea, but not likely to make an immediate impact. We need this position to become a strength before the offense can become a juggernaut.

6. FS is going to be a hard one to fill, but it could be that we just put a stop gap in there for now. That is Nnamdi's side of the field, so it shouldn't be a huge issue. Huff I believe is done after the season and we don't have anyone that is going to step in and solidify that spot. Not sure how we will approach it, but it needs approaching. Trying Huff at CB might be interesting experiment. He always plays better up at the line.

7. Ricky Brown, Sam Williams, Jon Alston. I am not sure how long this trio can hold down the open SLB spot, but maybe we will put a stop gap here once again. A stud tackler would sure help our rush D.

8. Sands, Warren, Kelly provide a decent trio at DT, but there is a huge amount of money invested in all three. My guess is at least one must go this offseason. My money is on Sands. Unless we can restructure them, we are going to need one more. A game changer at this position could really move this defense into the realm of "great."

9. Burgess is probably getting to the age that he will no longer be such a force. We also need to plan on not having him after next season. A developmental draft pick might do the trick here.

10. Again the trio at SLB also provides backup help for Howard and Morrison. We need some depth at the position. LBs also make good special teamers usually and adding good blockers could turn JLH into an elite return artist.

If by some magic, all of these needs can be addressed in season or the lesser talent could elevate their play enough not to make them major weaknesses, then maybe the super crazies might be right. Playoffs this season IS possible. I don't like the chances, but I do believe we need to have some optimism after three straight weeks of good defensive play and finally an offensive outburst. Even making a late run would be cause for celebration, even if it is unlikely.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Oakland Raiders Swing for the Fences in 2016 NFL Draft

[embed align="center"]http://gty.im/153039819[/embed] These aren't your daddy's Oakland Raiders or even your younger self's Raiders. If anything, these are your newborn's Raiders or your puppy's Raiders. These are the Raiders we've never seen before. Indicative of the freshness of the franchise was their 2016 NFL Draft. No longer slave to a high draft pick and desperate needs, the theme of the draft for the Raiders was upside. It's as if general manager Reggie McKenzie got so used to hitting his draft picks out of the park that he started swinging for the fences. We'll have to wait a couple of years before we know if he struck out or if he'll continue his Ruthian ways. First, McKenzie boldly went with a safety at No. 14 overall. Kyle Joseph is coming off a torn ACL and fills a major need, but safety isn't a premium position. Only a handful of safeties have been drafted in the first 14 picks in the last 15 years and include names like Ea

The Raiders aren't who we thought they were....they're better

The Oakland Raiders are tired of being the team that will be good in a year or two. The team expects to win now and it is winning now. We thought the Raiders needed more talent. We thought that being in the playoff hunt was a year away for this team, but we were wrong. This isn't the team we thought they were, they're better. On Sunday, they moved to 3-3 on Sunday with a 37-29 win over the San Diego Chargers that wasn't close until the final minute. It was also the Raiders second road win of the season. The last time the Raiders had two road wins by their sixth game was 2011. Before that, a five-year streak from 1998-2002. The Raiders went 8-8 in 1998, 1999 and 2011 and narrowly missed the playoffs each year.  They made the playoffs in 2000, 2001 and 2002. They didn't have a losing record in any of those seasons because teams that can win on the road are usually pretty good. As the season matures, there is more and more evidence that some of the "best-case scenario

Looking Forward: Raiders 2012 Free Agents

Khalif Barnes - Weakest link on the offensive line with youth behind him. Raiders will look for for other options. It's not as if there aren't a dozen Khalif's on the street each year. Darryl Blackstock - Was a Chuck Bresnahan guy, but found a home on special teams. Would have to make the team as a reserve LB and special teams guy next training camp. Wouldn't be surprised to see him back as a camp body or gone entirely. Kyle Boller - Hue didn't have enough confidence to turn to Boller. Expect the Raiders to look elsewhere for a backup to Carson Palmer. Jerome Boyd - Was nothing more than a reserve and special teams player. Some good moments and some very bad ones. Camp body again and fate will depend on the defensive coordinator. Tyvon Branch - About the only consistent producer in the secondary. Raiders will want to bring him back. Desmond Bryant - He's been great in limited action and can play inside and out. Key reserve. Michael Bush - He'll find a home a