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| Thursday, August 31 Pro Football Weekly | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expectations are higher and patience is shorter among NFL owners these days, and the success of the Rams last season has a lot to do with it. Coaches are expected to turn middle-of-the-road teams into Super Bowl champions as Dick Vermeil and his staff did a year ago.
Quarterbacks: Veteran Rich Gannon proved he is capable of being a productive starter over the course of an entire season, posting career highs in just about every statistical category last season. More importantly, Gannon consistently found ways to keep the Raiders in every game and usually played as well on the road as he did at home. He also started all 16 games despite suffering a broken left wrist and numerous other injuries. Bobby Hoying is the primary backup, with veteran Rodney Peete the likely third-stringer. Grade: B- Running backs: The combination of Wheatley and Kaufman gives Oakland one of the most potent tailback tandems in the league. Wheatley showed last season that he is capable of being a major producer if given the chance. Kaufman's speed burst and ability to slip through the smallest of openings is a perfect complement to Wheatley's between-the-tackles style. Fullback Jon Ritchie has developed into a third-down threat as a quality receiver out of the backfield, but he's not a great blocker or runner. Free-agent-signee Jerald Moore and Zack Crockett give Gruden several options on short-yardage and goal-line situations. Grade: B- Wide receivers: Tim Brown recorded his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard-plus season and hasn't shown signs of slowing up entering his 13th season. According to Gruden, James Jett is as strong and sharp as he has been in recent memory and remains a serious deep threat with sprinter's speed. Porter and the free-agent addition of Dunn give Gruden a more attractive group than he had last season. Veterans Terry Mickens, Kenny Shedd and quietly surprising rookie Marcus Knight are expected to provide some depth for the Raiders. Oakland also signed veteran Andre Rison when he was released by the Chiefs. The big, athletic Rickey Dudley is primed for a monster season at tight end in the final year of his contract. The only concern is how his back holds up after offseason surgery. Veteran Derrick Walker was re-signed during training camp to help the team's run blocking. Grade: B+ Offensive linemen: All five starters return from last season's unit, but there is one new face and two position changes. Second-year player Matt Stinchcomb replaces incumbent Mo Collins at left tackle after missing his rookie season with a shoulder injury. Collins moves to right guard, and incumbent Barry Sims moves to the bench, where he will be the primary backup at both the tackle and guard positions. Barret Robbins developed into one of the league's top centers in '99 and anchors a line that features a pair of 320-pound-plus players on the right side. If Stinchcomb and Collins adjust to their new roles, the Raiders again should possess one of the league's top rushing and passing attacks. Grade: B- Defense Defensive linemen: Veterans Russell Maryland and James Harris are gone, and Grady Jackson and Tony Bryant are in as replacements at right tackle and left end, respectively. Jackson and Bryant played well in supporting roles last season, but they'll be expected to make bigger contributions in 2000. Playing on a line that includes right end Lance Johnstone and left tackle Darrell Russell should help considerably. Veteran Regan Upshaw has been reunited with the offensive line coach from his collegiate days at California and is looking to turn his career around after a disappointing '99 season with Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. The Raiders will be counting on Chuck Osborne, rookie Junior Ioane and Josh Taves to play key roles in their defensive line rotation. Grade: B Linebackers: The re-signing of Greg Biekert rectified the problem at middle linebacker, but coming up with two dependable players to play on either side of Biekert will not be easy. Second-year pro Eric Barton, who started the last three games on the weak side last year, has the inside track at keeping that spot. However, he will be challenged by 10-year veteran William Thomas. Elijah Alexander and Travian Smith are competing for the strong-side spot, though Alexander has the edge because of his experience and Smith's tendency not to play within the defensive scheme. If Barton and Alexander have problems adjusting to their roles, this could be Raiders' biggest problem. Grade: C+ Defensive backs: The success of Charles Woodson probably will play a big role in determining the overall success of the defense. One of first-year defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan's first moves was to allow Woodson to shadow an opposing receiver, regardless of where that receiver lines up. If Woodson handles the change well, it will make life easier for fellow cornerback Eric Allen, as well as newly acquired safeties Anthony Dorsett and Je'Rod Cherry. Darrien Gordon, Tory James, Johnnie Harris and Marquez Pope should provide adequate depth at what might become Oakland's deepest position. Grade: B+ Special teams This was the area targeted by Gruden for a major overhaul. He selected Janikowski in the first round, Lechler in the fourth round, added coach Bob Casullo from the collegiate ranks and acquired a handful of players capable of being coverage or return men. All signs point to the special teams as being the Raiders' most improved area. How the unit performs likely will determine whether Oakland stays in the race for an AFC West title. Grade: B- 
Material from Pro Football Weekly. Visit their website at http://www.profootballweekly.com
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