Raiders have the Nucleus | Gilbert Jimenez's Blog

Am I the only Raider fan in the Nation who thinks we will be winning sooner then later? I mean, the winning nucleus is there. Where you ask? Well, lets start with the up and coming running game lead by Justin ''Huggy Bear Jr'' Fargas. He has had a breakout year, which made a believer out of me. I thought he could never be a premiere back in this league but Lane Kiffin gave him the shot and the system to thrive. Lets talk a little about Michael Bush, who is waiting in the wings. If not for the broken leg he suffered his last year in college, he definitely would have been a Heisman hopeful. He is big, strong and fast - A La Eddie George, a straight up runner. Lets hope he heals up 100% and that he didnt lose a step.

Now, what can I say about the defense? I think they underachieved this season a bit, but the d-backs are there, the Linebackers are there and if we could get any help from the front four, we can become a great D. We might need a new defensive coordinator as I dont think Rob Ryan is cutting it. We could also use a new free safety! Shweigert is good but he is always late on making the big play or hit and he misses too many tackles. We need someone like Ed Reed or LaRon Landry (wishful thinking, I know). Michael Huff played very well for his sophmore year. Tight ends were very well covered this season. Namndi is great - another Probowl Snub. Routt and Washington are playing mediocre but the talent is there.

Russell, Russell, Russell, lets hope he pans out. We have seen flashes of his great arm and if he has the football smarts, he is the real thing. I think he is the evolution of the prototypical quarterback. A "Frankenstein of Quarterbacks", put together piece by piece by piece. Michael Vicks' arm, Troy Aikman's accuracy, Culpepper's body, with Mcnabb's footwork. I hope he also has McNair's guts and the winning intangiables of Vince Young. Not to mention Brady's or Manning's brain.

Lets give KIffin sometime he will make us a winner again. He did a fine job for being a rookie coach. Remember nobody wanted to coach this team and he stepped in, lets give a chance for him to grow with Jamarcus.

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December 21, 2007 06:12 PM ET

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I applaud your optimism, but to say we have a nucleus is a bit of a stretch. Fargas is now hurt and out for the year. He's also a FA, so lets hope if we re-sign him he comes back healthy and runs like he did this year. Bush is still an unknown quantity, we don't know how he'll be.
While the running game really impressed me, the passing offense was enough to make me pull my hair out. Both McCown and Pepp are FA's also, meaning we likely will have Russell, Walter, and ?, as our QB's. Our receiving corps is almost next to pathetically slow. A real burner wide out who can catch would be nice. Some offensive imagination on 3rd down would be nice.
Lastly, Kiffin doubled our win total from last season, but going from 2 to 4 is not a dramatic improvement. I think the players are buying what he's selling though, at least I hope so. Another 4-12 season next year will not be good enough.
I'd really like to be as optimistic as you, but 5 straight losing seasons make me a little cautious.

Thugmeister

State Of Jefferson, CA

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December 24, 2007 11:03 AM ET

If you look at the Raiders schedule this year and what they'd had to deal with, they don't look all that bad. I too have alot of hope for next year with Kiffin and Russell. Most games we weren't far from winning. Keep the faith.

whatssupj2

Anaheim, CA

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December 27, 2007 12:26 AM ET

Thats what im saying WSJ2 , thanx for the comments fellahs, your right on thugmeister but if fargas leaves and bush should be good as advertise. I dont see how we cant just plug in a good back, the scheme is there specially if it made fargas a 1k yd rusher. Higgins is that burner. And if I remember correctly Porter got behind a few corners. We had a lot of close losses this season which hopefully kiffin used as experience on how to win close games. He is Learning on the job.