Oakland Raiders: The Good, The Bad, and The “Trade Them Now”
By Blu Spikes
December 30, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (85) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown reception during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Raiders are out of the gate for the 2013 season. Sprits are high, and emotions are off the chart. Fans are looking forward to the new season in hope of erasing last year’s Titanic debacle.
The draft went well for the Silver and Black, most have commented that it was a parallel move for the trades that GM Reggie McKenzie made. Here are some of the good, the bad, and the “trade them now!”
The good: Players that may have an impact with the Raiders in 2013
Menelik Watson: He provides size and speed, and you never know when Khalif Barnes will have another injury. Plus it seems Barnes is a year-to-year contract player, and you never know his next move. It would be great if Watson could have a year to get some seasoning under his belt. He was the BEST pick for any team when the Raiders took him.
Latavius Murray: If you watch him on film, he runs in an upright position, exposing most of his body to impact hits from the defense. He runs a lot like Darren McFadden, and brings with him some impressive speed — a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash. The Raiders have been without a quality backup since Michael Bush left, so Murray will spell McFadden and fill the backup role nicely.
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The bad: A forewarning for Stacy McGee
An underachiever with a rap sheet. Yes, everyone deserves a second chance, and McGee is getting his. The Raiders are stressing character, and McGee will have to improve his off the field actions, as well as his on the field production. McGee logged only 2.5 sacks throughout his college career, but he has some tools and has played well in big games. However, the Raiders do not need another Rolando McClain.
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The “Trade Them Now”
Terrelle Pryor: His slow development puts him on the trading block. The one thing that is a concern is: who would want him? What would the Raiders get for him?
Not many teams have a need for QB that hasn’t shown a spark when he has played. As of now, you don’t see him soaring to the starting QB position for the Raiders.
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On a final note:
Welcome back, Charles Woodson. He may have a little hitch in his giddyup, and a little slide in his glide. He may have lost a fraction of speed, but he will bring leadership and a winning attitude to the Raiders once again. The secondary will have an experienced general on the field to help the younger players find their way when they get lost, because last year, they were lost in space.
The Raider faithful are excited and looking forward to the season opener. It will be a wild sprint to the end.
Remember, you have to crawl before you can walk, walk before you can run, and jog before you can sprint.
The Raiders have taken a positive step in improving from the dismal 2013 season to the more-promising 2013 campaign.