2010 Oakland Raiders Preview
Times could be changing for the better for the silver and black in 2010. After years of roaming around in the NFL wilderness without much direction, the franchise has a new face to rally around both offensively and defensively. Though Oakland isn't ready to contend for Super Bowl XLV this year, at least there should be some hope for the future.
Departed is QB JaMarcus Russell. After years of waiting for the former LSU Tiger to develop, owner Al Davis and HC Tom Cable have finally given up on him. The franchise did a great job snaring another former first round draft choice to replace Russell in the form of QB Jason Campbell. Campbell might have been booted out of our nation's capitol, he might be just what the doctor ordered in Oakland. The Raiders would have killed to have a quarterback throw for 3,500+ yards and 20+ TDs last year.
The ground attack will get a bit of a boost from the relatively mobile Campbell, but far more importantly, this could be the year that Darren McFadden busts out. He only averaged 3.4 YPC last season and only had one TD in limited action, but he will be called upon along with Michael Bush (589 yards, 3 TDs in 2009) to help out Campbell.
The defense looked a lot better last season with the addition of DE Richard Seymour. Surprisingly, one of the more feared defensive linemen in the league was able to be resigned in Oakland, and he joins a nucleus of respectable players such as S Michael Huff and DB Nnamdi Asomugha. Most importantly will be the play at linebacker. With Kirk Morrison falling out of favor in spite of the fact that he led the team in tackles last year, a new middle linebacker was needed. Enter Rolando McClain out of Alabama. The Raiders may have reached just a tad to grab the former member of the Crimson Tide, but he should become the new face of a bit of a revamped 'D'.
Oakland is getting a lot closer. McClain and Campbell are going to make this team more competitive. A second place finish in the AFC West isn't out of the question, and though the playoffs aren't reachable, a .500 record is.
2010 NFL Betting Odds - BET NFL AT BODOG
Oakland Raiders Odds To Win AFC West: +750
Oakland Raiders Odds To Win AFC Championship: +7000
Oakland Raiders Odds To Win Super Bowl XLV: +25000
Oakland Raiders Season Win Total: 6 (over +110)
2010 Oakland Raiders Regular Season Schedule
9/12 @ TEN
9/19 vs. STL
9/26 @ ARI
10/3 vs. HOU
10/10 vs. SD
10/17 @ SF
10/24 @ DEN
10/31 vs. SEA
11/7 vs. KC
Bye
11/21 @ PIT
11/28 vs. MIA
12/5 @ SD
12/12 @ JAC
12/19 vs. DEN
12/26 vs. IND
1/2 @ KC
