As the 2014 NFL season approaches let us look at the Oakland Raiders and their rebuilding scheme and some of the players they brought into their organization this offseason.
Many are asking can aging veterans still have an impact for a franchise in this 2014 NFL season. Thus, you are talking about some discarded or unwanted players of former teams and players who actually have had previous success in the NFL and now are on the Oakland Raiders roster with the possibility of having a “chip on their shoulder.”
Therefore, it appears at Oakland all have something to prove, and they for the most part are going to work on it and prove they still have remaining talent. Now all those have been are seeking success.
One of the many veterans is RB Jones who was no longer wanted in Jacksonville, and he’s a player with Pro Bowl credentials looking for the new start with the Raiders. He is joined by ex Houston QB Matt Schaub who was dumped by the Texas, defensive rushers LaMarr Woodley and Justin Tuck who were too costly for their previous teams the Steelers and Giants, and CB’s Carlos Rodgers and Tarell Brown who services with the 49’er was no longer needed.
This group of additions to the Oakland roster, who are at least 29 years of age and on the downside of their careers who honestly believe that Oakland can end a streak of 11 non winning season and become the surprise team in the NFL for 2014.
So here are a couple of things to watch during this 2014 Oakland Raiders spring training camp:
A comeback by QB Matt Schaub who with the Texans went from a 4,000 yard passer who then had an interception in four straight games returned for a touchdown and then he was benched. Thus, in the offseason he was traded to the Raiders who stated he would be a starting QB in Oakland. However, the Raiders second round pick Derek Carr could become a starter if Schaub cannot bypass last year’s struggles with Houston.
For the Offensive Line, Oakland have redone their line with only returning starter Stefen Wisniewski, newly acquired Donald Penn at LT and RG Austin Howard who were free agents. Then Gabe Jackson a rookie at LG and at RT Menelik Watson and Kevin Boothe and Khalif Barnes for depth in the offensive lack that the team lacked in the 2013 season.
On defense the Raiders were excited to get in the draft a passing rushing linebacker in Khalil Mack giving the team a potential game changing defensive star, with the goals for him in 2014 set high very high.
For the Offense especially the running backs, they Raiders have two running backs for their rotation in Darren McFadden and Jones-Drew who both were the league’s top running backs before they incurred injuries and production loss in the past two season. Jones-Drew was signed and McFadden is a free agent. The Raiders are hoping a least one of the two can be returned to their previous top running form.
So sports betting fans who Bet the NFL at the Online sportbook watch for the odds on the raiders to change if any of the above becomes a reality for the struggling Oakland Raiders.