The Oakland Raiders are heading into the 2013 season with optimism and while a lot can go wrong, the team has pulled off a number of moves that could help it go right, as they traded for Matt Flynn at quarterback and they have a new running scheme that should help Darren McFadden.
The Raiders went just 4-12 last season and one reason was due to the fact that they were wildly inconsistent on offense, ranking eighth in passing but 28th in rushing yards per game and now Dennis Allen is trying to fix that. The team went offense in the past draft, selecting Menelik Watson on the offensive line, Nick Kasa at tight end as well as Latavius Murray and Brice Butler in the skill positions. The team likes its young stars in Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford and anew blocking scheme should give the running backs new life.
GM Reggie McKenzie and Allen are banking on McFadden being healthy and if he can play like he did in 2010, the team should be much better. That year he had over 1,000 yards rushing for the only time in his career and if he can continue catching the ball out of the backfield like he has over the past few seasons, he will be a deadly force for opponents. After missing 13 games and scoring just six touchdowns over the past two seasons, he is entering his contract year and knows that he has to prove to the Raiders and the NFL that he can stay healthy.
The team ditched Carson Palmer for Flynn and while he clearly doesn't have as much experience, he fits the system better for the Raiders and he has some weapons in Moore and Ford as well as Kasa, who will take over for Brandon Myers, who led the team in receiving last season. Tyler Wilson may eventually win the job, but it's Flynn's to lose to start camp. The team added Greg Olson and other coaches to the staff and that should help as well.
The defense will be much better too after adding Charles Woodson, Nick Roach, Mike Jenkins, Tracy Porter and Kevin Burnett and if they can play just a little better than last year, the offense should be able to carry the tea, While the playoffs are unlikely, the team can get to 8-8 with the talent they have.
