The Oakland Raiders are heading into the 2014 season with high expectations and the team has Matt Schaub and Derek Carr battling in training camp and while Schaub is the starter, Carr and Matt McGloin can make an impression for Dennis Allen and there is a chance that if Carr moves in as the backup, the team may look at a Matt McGloin trade somewhere down the line.
The Raiders signed a number of veteran free agents this offseason and that is one reason why expectations are so high and jobs could be on the line for Dennis Allen and Reggie McKenzie. Allen has named Schaub the starter and his job security could be one reason for that, as Schaub is a veteran coming off of a bad season, but he is a much better option right now than Carr, who was drafted in the second round in 2014.
According to ESPN.com, Allen has confidence in Schaub this season and how he plays could be the key to whether the team has a winning season or is in the top 10 of the draft again. Training camp is starting up this week and now Carlos Rogers and Tarrell Brown will have to step up, as DJ Hayden is injured and will miss the opening of camp and those two players will have pressure after the way the secondary played last year.
Last season the Raiders were a bit of a mess and now they come in after having 4-12 records in each of the past two years and that is why improvement is needed. The team added Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley on defense and brought in Maurice Jones-Drew and James Jones on offense, but the real free agent addition to watch is Schaub, as he could be the major difference this year. The Raiders have lost their top rusher and passer in Rashad Jennings and Terrelle Pryor and having Schaub could drastically change the offense.
The team ranked 25th in the league in passing yards per game last season and having Schaub along with Denarius Moore, Rod Streater and Brice Butler along with Jones could be enough to get things into the top half of the league. The rushing attack was ranked 12th last season and now the Raiders are really hoping that Darren McFadden can have a decent season. The defense was terrible in the back end and they are hoping that DJ Hayden can step up, but he is starting things off on the PUP and that could be an issue, as he has had injury problems since being drafted.
The Raiders are also likely getting rid of Kevin Burnett and this comes as second year player Sio Moore has the chance to step up. The tight end position is one to watch, as the team has Nick Kasa and Mychal Rivera and those two could be very good options for Schaub past the WRs. Denarius Moore is expected to develop this season and if Butler can contribute with Jones, it could be huge for Schaub and the offense.
