MVN: Most Valuable Network

One thing that the 2007 season showed is that despite the improvement there are still gaping holes in the Raiders' squad that need to be filled. The offense showed a renewed spark in the 2007 season, but the defense underperformed expectations. With the drafting of JaMarcus Russell and Zach Miller, and the addition of Tom Cable and the zone blocking scheme, the Raiders have a core in offense to build around. The defense has the young core of Nnamdi Asomugha, Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard, and Derrick Burgess to build around. Outside of the core players, there are some positions in much more need than others. This is a look at each position and the needs of each, with green being essentially set, yellow meaning it could be upgraded, and red meaning it is an urgent need.

OFFENSE:

Quarterback: Level of need: Green The Raiders have their franchise quarterback of the future in JaMarcus Russell. Andrew Walter is under a low cost contract, and could easily be the back up next year. Josh McCown is an unrestricted free agent who has already said that he wants to come back as a backup.

Running Back: Level of need: Yellow Justin Fargas needs to be re-signed for a reasonable contract. The Raiders also have Dominic Rhodes who has shown that he can come in and be productive. Michael Bush waits in the wings, and he was considered a highly rated prospect before his injury. There are questions on how effective he can be after having missed a season and a half of football. Unless Fargas walks and Bush bombs in the predraft camp or something unexpected happens, running back will not be a major need this offseason.

Fullback: Level of Need: Green Justin Griffith and Oren O'Neal are both under contract and are productive.

Wide Receiver: Level of Need: RED A lack of wide receiver speed and depth was the achilles heel of the Raiders in 2007. Jerry Porter will be gone, Tim Dwight is an unrestricted free agent, leaving Ron Curry and Johnnie Lee Higgins the only wide outs under contract to the Raiders. Curry is a very good slot receiver and possession receiver, but had some problems with the dropsies at bad times last season. Higgins received only scant playing time and showed poor hands, and did not use the blazing speed he had at UTEP. If the Raiders bring in enough competition at wide out, Higgins may not even make the team next year. Chris McFoy was elevated from the practice squad at the end of the season and is best known for dropping a clutch pass from JaMarcus Russell.

Tight End: Level of Need: Green Second round pick Zach Miller has shown flashes that he will be the next great Raider tight end. In the final game he was a favored target of Russell, and they started building chemistry that should only improve through the hears. John Madsen has had a few big plays as a receiver and as an exclusive rights free agent can be brought back for next to nothing.

Offensive Tackle: Level of Need: RED Barry Sims is a warhorse, that can't be taken away from him. He has shown that he can be serviceable for the most part, but when he is off he is horrid. He often gets beat by speed rushers and is good for a couple of false start calls a game. He would be great to be kept around for depth as he can play both tackle and guard fairly well, and it would be great to have a player like him on the bench that could be plugged in if there is an injury. He should, however, be replaced as the starter. Paul McQuistan took over for the pedestrian Cornell Green and was the starting right tackle when the Raiders went three straight games without a sack. McQuistan should be given the chance to win the starting RT job in camp, as he has shown progress at that position. Mario Henderson, last years third round pick did not get much if any playing time and is a wild card in the tackle race. The Raiders need to bring in at least one tackle through the draft or free agency. Jake Long could be a good pick for the Raiders depending on who else is on the board.

Offensive Guard: Level of Need: Green The much maligned Robert Gallery has started coming into his own at left guard. He does have too many penalties, but a second consecutive year in the same position and system could be just the elixir he needs to get his game to the next level. On the right side free agent acquisition Cooper Carslisle quietly had a very good year for the Raiders. It was the play of the guards that was a key in the drastic improvement in the Raiders rushing game.

Center: Level of Need: Yellow Jeremy Newberry had a strong season for the Raiders save a propensity for some bad snaps and has said that he wants to return, but the question is whether or not his knees can handle it. Jake Grove looked good when he played in place of Newberry, but he has had injury problems. A combination of Newberry and Grove would likely be good for another year, but Coaches Lane Kiffin and Tom Cable have to figure out whether or not Jake Grove is going to be the long term answer for the position. With all the other needs on the team, this is one that can wait a year easily.

DEFENSE:

Defensive Tackle: Level of Need: RED ALERT! DANGER! DANGER! WARNING LANE KIFFIN!!! DANGER!!! (enough of the bad Robbie the Robot impersonation.) This position is by far the biggest need in terms of what the team needs and the size of the player needed. The Raiders defense was atrocious against the run, and run defense starts with having a solid defensive tackle corps. Warren Sapp's retirement only adds to the drastic need at this position. The Raiders have Gerrard Warren who is injury prone and Terdell Sands who was a major disappointment. They also have Tommy Kelley who is better suited to play base end and is an unrestricted free agent. The Raiders MUST attach this position over all others in the offseason. If he is on the board, there is no doubt the Raiders should draft Glenn Dorsey out of LSU. This position should be attacked the way the Raiders attacked the tight end position. (They brought in a gang of mid range free agent tight ends to fight for the position, as well as drafted Zach Miller.) They need to beef up this position something fierce. This is the need of needs for the Raiders this offseason.

Defensive Ends: Level of Need: Yellow Derrick Burgess was hurt for much of last season and still got eight sacks. Chris Clemons came out of nowhere to get eight sacks of his own and needs to be resigned. Tommy Kelly is an important swingman as he can play both base end and defensive tackle well. Tyler Brayton is serviceable depth as he can also play both well enough to give starters a breather. If Glenn Dorsey is gone, then drafting Chris Long could make sense and move Kelly to the tackle position. Jay Richardson seemed to be better suited towards pass rushing that stopping the run, and the Raiders need run stopping help.

Linebackers: Level of need: Yellow Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard are a dynamic duo when it comes to being coverage linebackers, but when a team is as pathetic against the run as the Raiders have been the linebacking corps does not get a free pass from the blame. Yes, they need better defensive tackles in front of them to free them to make the tackles, but the Raiders need to add a third line backer who is truly a run stopper. Sam Williams has been to injury prone, and Robert Thomas has been good, but not what the Raiders need.

Cornerbacks: Level of Need: Green As long as Nnamdi Asomugha is brought back the situation at corner is not a problem. Fabian Washington and Stanford Routt have not been on Asomugha's level, but not many in the NFL have. Washington has been a starter, but was surpassed by Routt last season. Both Washington and Routt are solid but not spectacular corners. IF the defensive line is improved, their performance will go way up as they will not be required to cover their guys for quite as long. IF the Raiders do switch to a cover two defense as rumored, that would also improve their game. Either way, cornerback is not a need on this team at this time.

Safety: Level of Need: RED Michael Huff is rumored to be moving to free safety, which would likely be a better position for his skill set. Stuart Schweigert's detractors got their wish when he was demoted late in the season. Hiram Eugene did nothing to improve the position. If Huff moves to free safety, the Raiders need to bring in a Bob Sanders type strong safety that can play in the box against the run. If the Raiders are switching to a Cover-two defense, then the strong safety will no longer be required to man up against the tight ends as Huff has done for the past two years, and will be more available to make plays. This is an area of need, but for the love of the Nation Al, PLEASE DO NOT DRAFT A D-BACK WITH THE TOP PICK. (See the section of defensive tackle for my suggestions.)

That is quick breakdown by position on how much the Raiders should address that position. I didn't address kickers because the Raiders are well set with Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler. As the offseason progresses, Thoughts from the Dark Side will be looking deeper into each position of need. Stay Tuned, its going to be an interesting offseason for the Raiders and the Raider Nation.