2010 NFL Preview: Are the Raiders a Sleeper?

I love when people make "sleeper" picks. Doesn't matter what sport, there are always experts predicting what team or teams are sleepers and could surprise people down the line. Some people love that stuff and others hated. I'm the former. I love knowing who people are picking to be the surprise team of the year. In the NFL the Houston Texans have been the "sleeper" team for about five years. Once again they're picked to be a surprise team this season. I'm going in a different direction, I'm going with the Oakland Raiders are my surprise team.

Yes the Oakland Raiders are my surprise team heading into the 2010 NFL season. You might be asking yourself this, are you crazy Keith? Maybe I am. Maybe I've been too inundated with Raiders coverage because I live near Oakland. I have my reasons though why I think the Raiders are the sleeper team of the 2010 NFL season.



Reason #1, JaMarcus Russell Is Finally Gone: The JaMarcus experiment mercifully ended this spring in Oakland. Russell brought that entire locker room down. His lack of work ethic and questions surrounding his desire weighed on the team. The rest of the guys knew he didn't care so why should they care? Remember when Bruce Gradkowski quarterbacked for an injured Russell? They went to Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers in the last minute. The whole teams attitude changed when Russell wasn't starting and it should stay that way this season.

Reason #2, Jason Campbell Is the Raiders First Competent QB in Years: Here are the quarterbacks who have taken snaps for the Raiders since Rich Gannon in 2002: Marques Tuiasopo, Rick Mirer, Kerry Collins. Andrew Walter, Aaron Brooks, Daunte Culpepper, Josh McCown, Gradkowski, and Charlie Fyre. These combinations of quarterbacks were either incompetent, coming off injury, or should have never started a game in their careers.

Jason Campbell may not be the greatest quarterback ever, but at least he's competent when compared to the Raiders quarterbacks of the past. Also Campbell fits right in with the Raiders offensive philosophy. Campbell has a big arm making him a perfect fit into the Raiders vertical offense.

Reason #3, An Improved Defense: The Raiders have good linebackers, good secondary, and a shutdown corner(Nnamdi Asomugha). Their problem though last year was their inability to stop the run. The Raiders addressed those needs by smartly drafting Rolando McClain in the first round, LaMarr Houston in the 2nd round, and by signing John Henderson. Their defense will be improved this season.


Reason #4, The Team Actually Respects Tom Cable: Cable was a popular offensive line coach during the Lane Kiffin regime. When Kiffin was fired, Cable was promoted to interim coach and eventually as the head coach. The jury is still out on whether or not Cable is a good coach, but one thing is for sure and that is the players actually respect him. That's more than you can say about the former coaches between Cable and Jon Gruden.

I'm not going to predict the Raiders to make the playoffs, but don't be surprised if they have an 8-8 year. With the reasons already stated and a somewhat of an easy schedule (Their toughest road games are at Tennessee and Pittsburgh) it wouldn't be surprising if the Raiders went 8-8 this season. Then again, I may be crazy ceasing my point moot.