FanNation

Oakland vs. Arizona

Good game for our Raiders. We got to see our defense start out the year against a nice offense, we got to see our offense start out on a high note against a not so hot defense, and we got to see some of our rookies, and new additions shine, along with some Raiders veterans that didn't shine so much last year.

I'll start out with rookies.

Johnnie Lee Higgins, WR

I like this guy alot. He is a young, fast, and very athletic WR out of UTEP, who wasn't regarded as much of a player before the draft. Picking him up made a nice addition to WR, a position we haven't had much luck with recently. Higgins brought in 2 passes for 59 yards, one being a 50 yard bomb from Culpepper. Higgins also returned a kick for 21 yards and a punt for 11.

Santa Clause? No, just Injury Clause.

It has been a few long, long months since the Raiders drafted JaMarcus Russel, and he and his agents are still playing the argument that the Raiders won't throw in an injury and skill clause.

For those of you who don't know what that means, it means that if Russel is injured, possibly for his career, or just a long time, the Raiders have to pay him ht esame salery as he would if he was palying to sucre his financial future.

Skill clauses are there for the player if he doesn't pan out, he can still get part of his salery, just as if he would have played great.

Russel and his agents also want a half a million dollars more per year than Mario Williams got on his contract last year.

Lets face it, Mr. Davis: The Raiders don't have high profile players on their roster, which means pleanty of cap room, so just sign him!

Running Wild

Few can complain on the running back situation we have in Oakland. Very few. In fact, the only complaint that is a true concern is, "Do we have a back who can establish himself as a star?"

Here is LaMont Jordan. A back-up out of New York, Jets that is. He comes into Oakland in 2005. He preforms like a starter in training camp, and is soon named to be one. His team's defense is pathetic, his offense is strong, but gives up too many turnovers. He is considered a top-ten back at season's end.
The very next year, 2006, he gets hurt, his season is over. His team is the worst in the league, and his defense is one of the best. His offense...don't go there.
He fell like lead in water.

Here we have a fast, small, and young USC product named Justin Fargas. You remember Starsky and Hutch? Yeah, well Huggy Bear is his pops. This kid is a burner, but get knocked aroung like he's in a pinball game. He has been a life-long Raider, and was the best Raiders offensive player last year, next to Ronald Curry. Not a future star, he will be a top notch backup for years to come.

Now we have Dominic Rhodes. Not a star, but is similar to Jordan. He has a 4 game suspension. He was back up to former Indianapolis Colt Edgerrine James, also Joseph Addai. Rhodes is a slower type of back. A back who like to run for power. He's no future star either.

Then there's Michael Bush. The Louisville Star. A big back. A burner. A big burning back. One-of-a-kind. Recovering form a season ending leg-break. He IS a future star. What many call the steal of the 2007 NFL Draft, is actually the steal of the last five drafts. This guy can run you over, or juke you out of your shoes. Having the ability to do that is both admirable, and frightening...at least if you're in his path.
Bush is behind an O-Line that is going to make him get used to the NFL real quick. Has a QB who is under fire...Boom or Bust. Has a wide reciever who is considered a sleeper from the 2007 Draft...Johnnie Lee Higgins.

Bush can have a nice career, maybe even join the likes of Marcus Allen and Bo Jackson as Raiders greats.