Overall: C-

Closing out 2008 with two back to back wins, including an impressive beat down on the Bucs in Tampa Bay, has left me a little less bitter about this season.

Ownership (Al Davis): F
What were you thinking when you approved those obscene contracts for Tommy Kelly, Javon Walker and DeAngelo Hall? You left Nnamdi a FA AND you drafted McFadden when our RB depth chart was stacked with Justin Fargas, Dominic Rhodes, LaMont Jordan and Michael Bush. Not that McFadden doesn’t have skills, but really… being as IN LOVE with JRuss as you are, weren’t you maybe thinking he should have someone to throw the ball to? Or maybe a big body blocking for him so he would have the chance to throw in the first place. You FAIL.

Head Coaching (Lane Kiffin/Tom Cable): NA
They are talking heads. This would be like grading Katie Couric on the news stories of the day.

QB (JRuss): C-
There are two skill sets that I deem innate when it comes to the QB position. You either have it or you don’t. And that’s vision, reading the field as the play develops, and the other is pure throwing, some guys have a beautiful arm and some don’t. So JRuss has an amazing arm. You can’t learn that. Quick release, tight spiral, speed… all conducive to a great QB. Where he worries me is with his vision, decision making, leadership. I see improvement over last year, but he makes me nervous with every snap. I just don’t know.

WR/TE: C

Zach Miller: A - I love this kid. During camp I predicted he would be the primary offensive target. Zach has great hands, he’s strong as hell, and a solid blocker… easily my favorite player on the team. He and JRuss have a special chemistry. Miller also benefits from the accuracy JRuss has shown in short yardage situations.

Our WR’s are mostly a joke. I like what Rookie Chaz Schilens showed us. He’s got nice size and decent hands. I see potential there. Johnnie Lee Higgins is a firecracker and can make things happen with his evasiveness. He’s fast, but at 5′11″ (and even that might be generous) he’s going to have problems being an effective downfield target in coverage. Drew Carter should be healthy for camp this summer, but he’s been injury prone his entire career. Torn ACL’s in both knees? I’m not too optimistic about his return. Javon Walker wanted to quit. Ronald Curry lost his starting spot. What a mess.

Part 2, coming soon.

By: Knup on Jan 1st, 2009
Tagged as: RaiderRefuge.com

No Comments »