The Oakland Raiders are starting up mandatory minicamp this week and after an offseason filled with a number of solid free agent moves and draft picks, general manager Reggie McKenzie is ready for some big improvements heading into 2013, especially at quarterback.
The Raiders have gotten some bad press about firing their head of PR for no good reason and despite that negative story, the Raiders have been one of the smarter teams in free agency this offseason, bringing in a number of talented players to the roster, including Mike Jenkins, Charles Woodson, Tracy Porter, Nick Roach and more. The biggest upgrades this season will be on offense, as the team traded for quarterback Matt Flynn and also drafted Tyler Wilson out of Arkansas.
The quarterback battle will be the most interesting and most written about as the offseason goes on, but anyone actually paying attention to the team realizes that Flynn has the inside track after the team dealt for him. The Raiders did not want to pay Carson Palmer anymore and that is why he is on the Cardinals and chances are Flynn will not get beaten out by a rookie names Wilson for the second time in two years. For anyone that was hiding under a rock, rookie Russell Wilson took the job from him last season in Seattle over the summer after impressing head coach Pete Carroll.
Flynn has not had much starting experience and although he won a game while throwing six touchdowns with the Packers, head coach Dennis Allen is going to give him every chance to keep the starting job over the summer. Flynn will have some nice weapons despite the team losing Brandon Myers, the team's leading receiver last season, as McKenzie brought back Rashad Jennings and drafted Nick Kasa, Latavius Murray and Brice Butler in the draft to add some firepower. Along with a healthy Darren McFadden and receivers like Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore, the Raiders could be a surprise on that side of the ball.
Terrelle Pryor currently is in the toughest spot, as he is not ready to start and Wilson already looks more impressive than he is. Allen said that Pryor isn't there yet as a quarterback and after using a supplemental pick on him the team will keep him while they can. The secondary is also expecting big improvements with Porter and Mike Jenkins as well as Woodson and rookie DJ Hayden, who will be out for minicamp and may miss the beginning of training camp. Nick roach and Kevin Burnett will help bolster the first line of defense behind the D-line and after getting rid of Rolando McClain, the Raiders feel that the unit can be one of the biggest strengths for 2013. Flynn will have pressure to put up numbers, but the system should be suited for his abilities and if he can protect the ball, the Raiders should be much better than 4-12 this season.
