The Oakland Raiders have been getting some bad press lately for the way owner Mark Davis dismissed one of general manager Reggie McKenzie's hires in PR director Zak Gilbert, but there has been a lot of positive moves for the franchise this summer, including the signing of former first round pick Charles Woodson after years with the Packers.
McKenzie inherited a tough financial and roster situation with the Raiders, but so far this offseason he has done a good job in getting rid of old contracts with Michael Huff and Darrius Heyward-Bey, and he also brought in some quality free agents in players like Mike Jenkins, Tracy Porter, Nick Roach and Kevin Burnett. The team also did a good job of adding talent on both sides of the ball in the NFL draft, selecting cornerback DJ Hayden with their first round pick and grabbing Brice Butler, Latavius Murray and Nick Kasa in the later rounds to give Matt Flynn some weapons.
McKenzie was able to get rid of Carson Palmer and his contract and bring in Flynn while not giving up too much and he was also able to recoup some draft picks after trading down with the Miami Dolphins from the number three pick. The team struggled running the ball last season and if Darren McFadden can stay healthy, the offense is expected to be much more consistent. If Butler can establish himself, the team should have a solid receiving corps with Denarius Moore, Jacoby Ford and Butler. Another big issue for the team to address in training camp is the offensive line, which McKenzie has been trying to rebuild over the past two years.
The most interesting battle will be on the left side of the line at the guard position and head coach Dennis allen and McKenzie will be looking for one play to establish themselves from Tony Bergstrom and Lucas Nix, two second-year players that both have the chance to win the job. Allen used Nix at the start of training camp and clearly he has a preference, but McKenzie has liked what he has seen from Bergstrom and that could pay off later down the line. The Raiders are using a different running scheme this season to try and get the most out of McFadden and Marcel Reece and the starting job may go to the player who can adjust the fastest. Bergstrom will likely be favored by McKenzie since he was his first draft pick, but whoever plays best will get the starting nod.
The team also re-signed free agent Khalif Barnes earlier in the offseason after he spent four seasons with the team. McKenzie wanted to keep that part of the line intact and he started at right tackle in 25 games over the past two seasons. He has started 30 of 47 games and he missed seven games last season with an injury but he is expected to be fine for training camp. The team is also hoping to get good work from second round pick offensive tackle Menelik Watson, as he is one of the best athletes in the draft but he needs work before he starts. If he proves himself in training camp the line could have another new addition for 2013.
