Raiders need to turn last year's promise into something real

The Oakland Raiders finished with a 3-13 record last year after losing their first 10 games, fired head coach Dennis Allen midway through the season, and didn't retain interim coach Tony Sparano; and yet there was still plenty of optimism coming out of the Bay Area last year. Most of that stems from the promise shown by rookie quarterback Derek Carr.

Despite seemingly being forbidden to throw farther than 10 yards downfield, Carr showed he possesses a lot what makes a good QB. And fans are ready for a winner after years of Terrelle Pryor, Matt Flynn, a disinterested Carson Palmer, Jason Campbell, JaMarcus Russell … I could go on.

Offensive Breakdown

Carr passed his rookie test, but now it's time to let him air it out

Carr showed a lot of promise his rookie season in Oakland, but it’s hard to give the second-rounder any grade other than incomplete for his first year in the pros. The Raiders’ offence was very vanilla last year, and Carr attempted few downfield throws. Whether it was the coaches not yet trusting him, or the Fresno State product having to work with the likes of a slowed-down James Jones and inconsistent Andre Holmes at receiver, Carr finished the year averaging 5.46 yards per attempt. That number was good for 33rd in the league and more than half a yard less than No. 32, fellow rookie Blake Bortles.

* Stats courtesy pro-football-reference.com

Now is the time to take the safety wrap off Carr; he passed his initial test in showing poise and leadership as a rookie, his next test is making all the throws at any given time in a game. The good news is he’ll be working with trustier receivers.

The Raiders made Amari Cooper the first receiver drafted this year at fourth overall and the Alabama product is exactly what Carr needs: a precise route runner with blazing speed. Cooper will be paired with Michael Crabtree, a former high draft pick, who signed as a free agent from San Francisco. Crabtree never lived up to expectations with the 49ers but is a decent No. 2 option and has looked great in camp developing chemistry with Carr in training camp.

It took the Raiders 10 losses last year before handing over the starting running back job to Latavius Murray, opting instead to stick with Darren McFadden, Maurice Jones-Drew and their combined 3.2 yards per carry.

Murray was finally given the ball, promptly ran for a 90-yard touchdown, and the Raiders won their first game of the season. The third-year man of course couldn’t keep up that production, and battled some injuries late in the season, but comes into this year giving the Raiders legitimate hope at running back for the first time in a long while.

Oakland's offensive line, quietly stout last year, should be even better this year with the addition of centre Rodney Hudson.

PLAYER TO WATCH: WR MICHAEL CRABTREE

Few receivers in recent memory went into the draft with as much hype as Crabtree did in 2009 (Cooper may be on that list). What followed were six mostly disappointing years with the 49ers. Interestingly, the Raiders correctly predicted Crabtree wouldn't meet expectations as a pro at the time, opting instead to draft WR Darius Heyward-Bey that year. So congrats for passing on Crabtree, but opposite-of-congrats on drafting DHB seventh overall.

Crabtree's better suited as a No. 2 and looks like he could have a big year in that role with Oakland. He’s healthy, has looked great in camp, and has developed early chemistry with Carr. Cooper is slated to be the team’s stud at receiver, but Crabtree could be a very effective starter as well.

IN: WR Michael Crabtree, RB Roy Helu Jr, C Rodney Hudson, QB Christian Ponder, OG J’Marcus Webb

OUT: WR James Jones, RB Darren McFadden, QB Matt Schaub, C Stefen Wisniewski

Defensive Breakdown

Mack is special, and should lead an improved defence

What Carr is on offence for the Raiders, fellow rookie Khalil Mack is on defence, only times 10. Mack offered all the same promise Carr did last season, but combined that with real life production. The fifth-overall draft pick was arguably the top outside linebacker in the league, excelling against both the run and the pass.

Mack will make the move to defensive end this season to better utilize his pass rushing ability. He joins what should be an improved unit opposite veteran Justin Tuck, who still has a little gas left in the tank, and monstrous tackles Dan Williams and Justin Ellis.

Mack’s position switch weakens the linebacking corps however. There are question marks at outside 'backer where Malcolm Smith and Ray-Ray Armstrong are penciled in as starters. Smith was Super Bowl MVP two years ago but hasn’t done a ton outside of that one game, and Armstrong was picked up after the St. Louis Rams waived him midway through last season. The Raiders will at least have a legitimate starting option at middle linebacker in free agent signee Curtis Lofton a year after a Nick Roach injury gave Miles Burris way too many snaps. Sio Moore staying healthy and playing more consistently would go a long way to helping this unit.

The secondary will once again be led by Charles Woodson. There's talk the 38-year-old could be slowing down; I'll have to see it before I believe it. But if this is the year Woodson ultimately slows down, the Raiders’ backend could be in trouble.

Penciled in at starting cornerback are TJ Carrie and DJ Hayden. Carrie showed promise last year as a seventh-round draft pick, but will now have to take on a bigger load as No.1 CB, while Hayden has yet to live up to his first-round selection.

Fans in Philly laughed when they saw the money Oakland gave to former Eagle Nate Allen to be their starting strong safety, so that can’t be a good sign.

IN: S Nate Allen, LB Curtis Lofton, LB Malcolm Smith, DT Dan Williams

OUT: SS Tyvon Branch, LB Miles Burris, DT Pat Sims, DT Antonio Smith

Draft

Last year’s draft (Mack, Carr, Ellis, Carrie, G Gabe Jackson) may very well have saved GM Reggie McKenzie his job. This year’s draft class likely won’t be as strong, but could further solidify McKenzie’s spot in the team’s front office. Cooper will have every chance to break the 10-year streak of a Raiders receiver not hitting 1,000 yards on the season, and third-round tight end Clive Walford is expected to have a big role in the team’s passing game as well.

Second-round defensive end Mario Edwards was a bit of a surprise pick given that he’ll do little to help Oakland’s anemic pass rush. But should help solidify the defences’ efforts against the run alongside other noted run-stoppers in Williams and Ellis.