Across the Pond by Dave Wilson
Raidernews Fans' Offensive Player of the Year
It was a tough year for the offense.
Our guys on this side of the ball our guys are definitely a work in progress, but that isn’t to say that they didn’t have their star performers, and those deserving of recognition. So here are the runners and riders for this category.
Jamarcus Russell - QB
Russell Attempted 368 passes completing 198 for a completion percentage of 53.8 averaging 6.6 years per attempt with 13 TD's, 8 interceptions and a QB Rating of 77.1
No one can dispute that it was tough first year as a starter for our young quarterback. The offense struggled mightily at times, but Russell never gave up. He kept his cool no matter what, in true Stabler like fashion, and if he had some bad days, he had some damn good days too. Not bad for a kid who had poor protection and a very limited receiving corps.
Compare his first years stats to players like Peyton Manning and other top flight quarterbacks, and Russell translates as very bright prospect for the Raiders. At mid season they were calling him a bust. Don’t believe it.
Zach Miller – TE
Miller had 56 receptions, 778 yards, an average of 13.9 yards per catch with 1 TD.
When the Raiders drafted Miller 2 years ago, many writers said he didn’t have the skills or the speed to make it in the NFL, that he was too slow. All Miller did to disprove that was finish 4th in the AFC for receiving yardage for tight ends, and second for average yards per catch. He was never supposed to be a downfield threat, but he caught more 20+ yard receptions than any other AFC tight end.
If you add to that the way this kid blocked in the running game, and the way he blocked, and was asked to block in the passing game, you have one hell of a performance. You just know if this team gets better on the offensive line, and frees Miller up a bit more on passing downs, that he will be making regular trips to Hawaii.
Justin Fargas - RB
Fargas had 218 rushes for 853 yards, averging 3.9 yards per carry with 1 TD. As a receiver Fargas had 10 receptions for 52 yards.
The beating heart of Oakland’s offense, the workhorse running back who gives his all on every play, no matter how hard he gets hit, or how often. He doesn’t earn the kind of money that other big name running backs make, but Fargas leaves it all out on the field every play.
He does what ever he is asked, and picks up the blitz better than any other raider running back. He was the poster boy for Lane Kiffin’s offense, and his effort and team spirit is everything you want from a guy on your team.
Robert Gallery – G
It is rarely that linemen stand out and get nominated for this type of award, but gallert deserves it. It must have been mentally crushing for him the experience he had at tackle, and the whole world considering him a bust. But Gallery came back. He was by far the Raiders best offensive lineman last year.
Only two penalties all year, and one sack allowed. Many of the Raiders big gainers on the ground came behind Gallery’s blocking, and he is by far the standout guy on a unit that has needed a serious upgrade for some time. But he is the rock we can build on, and without the line performing, the skill players will never reach their potential.
Darren McFadden – RB
McFadden had 133 rushing attempts for 499 yards and average for 4.4 yards per attempt with 4 TD's. As a receiver McFadden had 29 receptions for 285 yards, averaging 9.8 yards per catch.
He didn’t make Raidernews rookie of the year, but he scored as many offensive touchdowns than any other player. He may not have been all we expected in his first year due to injury, but he certainly contributed in a big way, not just on the ground, but as a receiver too.
If he came second to Fargas in rushing, he also came second to Miller in receiving. A true double threat, he kept defences guessing, especially when he was 100% healthy.
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Raidernews Fans' Defensive Player of the Year
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Raidernews Fans' Rookie of the Year - 2008
