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Oakland Raider Analysis: Will training camp optimism give way to more hard reality?

By Patrick Patterson | July 25th, 2008

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The reports out of training camp are aglow that the Oakland Raiders are off to a good start. Everyone not named LaMont Jordan has reported to camp and is working. The players coming off of injuries are on the mend. Lane Kiffin is now in his element getting the team ready to play some football. This Oakland Raider team looks on paper to be much improved from the previous incarnations. Its easy to look at the schedule and think of the possibility of playoffs. However, the specter of all the offseason drama lingers. The pieces are in place to have a good team, but it is also a chemistry experiment, and if it goes off the rails it will be ugly.

The Money Train

The Raiders spent big this offseason. Whilst, this does look like it upgraded the talent across the team in several areas, it is also a recipe for some resentments. Tommy Kelly who is known more for potential than for success on the field got a mammoth contract, but Derrick Burgess who in three years has put himself among the all time Raider leaders in sacks hasn’t gotten the renegotiated contract he has been looking for since last season. The Raiders gave up a second round pick for DeAngelo Hall, but Nnamdi Asomugha who has been a team leader and elite cover corner only had the franchise tag. Its hard to feel bad for someone making $10 million to play football this season, but with the tag he has no assurances of anything beyond this season. The tag is considered disrespect, and it had to be more so when someone else was brought in and given the respect of a long term deal.

Asomugha showed that he is about the team, despite the disrespect by signing the tender and arriving at camp without having been given the assurances that he won’t be tagged again next year. Burgess, despite speculation to the contrary for the second year, is in camp and ready to rock and roll. These are the outward appearances, the question is with situations like that can there be a harmonious locker room, or are the potential resentments going to start to create a rift?

Al Davis and Lane Kiffin

Prior to the potential unretirement of Brett Favre, the wall to wall reporting was on a supposed rift between Al Davis and Lane Kiffin. In Kiffin’s talk with the media yesterday, he did address the situation. The question is how long can Kiffin continue to function in that situation? Also, if things start out rocky, will Kiffin get the Mike Shanahan treatment and be gone before the completion of the second season?

Kiffin said that he couldn’t worry about such things, but it has to be in the back of his mind. There are times where decisions are negative for the short term, but positive for the long term and vise versa. Kiffin has been painted into a corner where he has to look hard at the short term in order for there to be a long term. This is not conducive to rebuilding a franchise that had fallen into such morbid disarray as the Raiders had for the last several years. At what point would he pull a struggling JaMarcus Russell in order to salvage a couple of wins despite the long term negative effects of such a move? Hopefully, Kiffin can continue to have the long term thinking.

Strong Personalities

DeAngelo Hall earned a reputation as a chronic malcontent in Atlanta, leading to his ultimate trade. Of course, the Falcons were a team in turmoil for the last two years, but it leads to questions. Javon Walker moped his way out of both Green Bay and Denver before signing on the dotted line to arrive in Oakland. With his own offseason problems, the question becomes whether or not that was a good signing for Oakland. He has the talent, but also more baggage than Southwest Airlines. (Amazingly, there are some that wanted to add Chad Johnson to this already volatile mix.) Sure, with the cash from their signing bonuses fresh in their pocket (or in the case of Walker all over other patrons in Las Vegas clubs) they will be the good soldiers, but will that hold if things start to go south?

Just Win, Baby!

There is a potential for an implosion worthy of the Black Hole namesake, but the one sure way to avoid it is to “just win, baby.” If the Raiders start with a few wins early, these potential story lines will fade away as nothing breeds success like success. If the Raiders stumble early these potential cracks will become fault-lines the Raiders’ clubhouse that will put the famed San Andres to shame. Once the fault forms, the “big one” will hit and things will get ugly in Raiderland.

Hoping for the best and fearing the worst here at TFDS!

This entry was posted on Friday, July 25th, 2008 at 2:53 pm and is filed under Javon Walker, Lane Kiffin, Nnamdi Asomugha, 2008, Derrick Burgess, Al Davis, DeAngelo Hall, 2008 Raiders Season Preview, JaMarcus Russell, Tommy Kelly. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

12 Responses to “Oakland Raider Analysis: Will training camp optimism give way to more hard reality?”

Will training camp optimism give way to more hard reality? - Oakland Raiders Forum says:

July 25th, 2008 at 3:56 pm

[…] training camp optimism give way to more hard reality? Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - an Oakland Raiders independent news, commentary, analysis, and m… We need to start winning early or we are SCREWED! MORE __________________ Check out the latest […]
The Fifth Horseman says:

July 25th, 2008 at 3:58 pm

I can’t wait for the Raiders to stumble to another 4-12 or 5-11 season. It is going to be a pretty sight and I will be laughing each and every Sunday when they lose yet again!! hahahaha
OregonRaider says:

July 25th, 2008 at 4:12 pm

Good Read Patrick. You are right a few W’s in the win side and the fifth horseman will be hard to find. I think it is safe to say he is full of horseshit and does nothing but chew his cud. On the other hand, the ride home from the game is twice as long when the Raiders lose. I can’t wait for the season to start.
Thoughts from the Dark Side: Oakland Raider Analysis: Will training camp optimism give way to more hard reality? | The RaiderCast says:

July 25th, 2008 at 4:40 pm

[…] Read more. Posted in Blog, Oakland Raiders | […]
David says:

July 25th, 2008 at 6:27 pm

A fine article Patrick, one which must have taken some time to put together from the standard hate articles out there (watch out for using “despite” in two sentences in a row).

So, everyone has reported, Aso has signed, Burgess is still playing as well as ever, Walker is at practice, Carter is performing well, Kelly is stepping up as a leader, Russell’s throws are improved, the DBs are defending the ball well, Richardson is getting to the backfield, Wilson looks like a bargain so far, Lofton is in the face of the WRs, Curry is beefing up in the weight room, etc., etc., etc.

What you missed was the huge potential problems of Harris but that will take time to get in the groove with the ZBS. Sands is still a big question mark but with the non-signing of Grady there seems to be some confidence in Warren and perhaps even Joseph. As for Kiffin, he’s more likely to last than not because of his tough stance. Just because there’s smoke and a little kitchen fire it doesn’t mean the whole house is about to burn down.

It’s only the first day so don’t worry. Keep at it but aim for a bit more objectivity if possible.
KUSHMAN says:

July 25th, 2008 at 6:28 pm

good article pat… very good reality check, this team needs to function well together.. and i really think they’re hungry enough to do just that and win games this year, theres a lot of struggling teams on our schedule, division games wont be as tough this year me thinks, PLZ ROGER SUSPEND BRANDON MARSHALL!!. tru the raiders have a good chance of getting off to a rough start.. but i think things will fall into place for us near halfway into the season, and russell will get the feel of this offense game by game because he is so willing to learn it with an extremely open mind.. and i think he will become more and more used to the speed of the NFL as the season goes on …

hey horses ass what’s your team there kid? lets actually have an intelligent debate for a change instead of having to hear your immature babble. you still are not able to back up any of your sh!t talking kid.. you just keep repeating yourself.. you just keep proving everytime that you’re just retarded. HAHA!
olinda cat says:

July 25th, 2008 at 7:38 pm

It is an awfully good omen ,Namdi’s given it up for the team,Burgess and Walker going for it,and Russell setting the tone!The planets are in allignment!GO RAIDERS
KUSHMAN says:

July 25th, 2008 at 7:47 pm

just as i thought as usual.. you’re such a puss fifthjackass..
Big John says:

July 25th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

Haha, I agree with you Kush and especially on the Marshall suspension. I do hope though that all this optimism is warranted because I sure am tired of losing. Can’t wait for some real football, starting with the whoopin we’re gonna put on the niners.
Phil L says:

July 25th, 2008 at 9:15 pm

Good job Patrick,now let’s lift our mugs to Kiffin and the team.After this offseason it’s time to put all that negativity aside and enjoy the Raiders for what they are,a very young team with a few question marks here and there but for the most part this year could be fun if big Al doesn’t do something crazy.Good luck guys,pay well and stay healthy..GO RAIDERS!!!
Raider Blues says:

July 25th, 2008 at 10:16 pm

I say if Aso plays big and doesn’t bitch this year, then he signs a huge contract and is a fan favorite for years to come.

Good read Patrick!
Raidermomo64 says:

July 25th, 2008 at 10:45 pm

I agree Kush……. I hate hearing the same ol babble without anything tangible. At least let us know who your team is 5th, so that we can have a good laugh. Probably 9′er, SD, or Bronco fan. As those are the only fans who have a sado masochistic hate for the nation. Say something intelligent and original. Go Raiders!! 10-6