Courtesy Foxsports.com

Analyzing the Oakland Raiders

A new year brings a new franchise quarterback, JaMarcus Russell, a new starting wide receiver and new hope for pro football's worst team, the Oakland Raiders.

In 2006, the Raiders weren't just bad; they were brutally bad. Oakland finished the season a 2-14, while scoring just 168 points.

They had no running game, no passing game, two disgruntled starting receivers and a coaching staff with weekly game-planning that looked like it was scrawled on a napkin at a bar the night before each game.

This season, things should be different. Enter new head coach Lane Kiffin, just 32, who made an instant impact by getting rid of wide receiver Randy Moss and making certain that the team selected franchise quarterback Russell with the top pick in the draft.

Russell should play immediately, and if he lives up to his pre-draft billing, the Raiders should automatically win two or three more games.

Wideout Jerry Porter returns from his worst season as a pro to start opposite newly-acquired Mike Williams, who has not lived up to his college reputation in two NFL seasons.

The running game was bolstered by the acquisition of Dominic Rhodes from Indianapolis. Rhodes ran for 1,100 yards in 2001 and is solid insurance for starter Lamont Jordan, who struggled mightily in 2006, after a solid 2005.

Ironically, the Oakland defense allowed the fewest passing yards in the NFL - shocking for the 11th-ranked scoring defense in the AFC.

The Raiders might be even better against the pass in 2007, thanks to the addition of safety Donovin Darius, who recently signed as a free agent from Jacksonville.

The Raiders appear to be an improved football team, although it would be difficult not to be better than the 2006 disaster.

Oakland should win five games, and if Russell plays well early, a 7-9 season is a possibility - a monumental jump from last year.